Carlik Jones

Carlik Jones's Biography

Carlik Anthony Jones, an American-born sportsman with naturalized South Sudanese citizenship, is an exceptional professional basketball player whose career has spanned multiple leagues and countries. Born on December 23, 1997, Jones has demonstrated an unwavering passion and unique talent for basketball, a journey that has taken him from US college basketball to the international professional stage. Presently, he plays for Partizan Mozzart Bet, a team that participates in the ABA League, Basketball League of Serbia (KLS), and the renowned EuroLeague.

Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, Jones’ love for basketball was evident early on. He attended Aiken High School where his natural talent started to shine, especially during his junior year when he scored an impressive average of 12.5 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 5.1 assists per game. His performances were outstanding, earning him recognition as third team All-Division IV and first-team all-Cincinnati Metro Athletic Conference. This opened up the opportunity for him to sign with Radford for college basketball on November 12, 2015.

Jones’ senior year was even more triumphant as he averaged 22.3 points and six assists per game. Such an encouraging development in his career led him to be named The Cincinnati Enquirer Division IV Player of the Year. Most notably, he scored a remarkable 57 points in a sectional final against Hughes STEM High School, leading his team, the Falcons, to secure both a regional championship and a spot in the State final four.

In his early collegiate career at Radford, Jones redshirted his true freshman season, a decision that paid off in the long run. As a redshirt freshman, he became a starter for the Highlanders and was named the Big South Conference Freshman of the Year. His contributions included an exceptional average of 11.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists per game. This successful freshman year was promptly followed by another triumphant year, as Jones averaged slightly more – 15.7 points, 5.2 rebounds, and 5.8 assists per game in his redshirt sophomore season. This improvement saw him named first team All-Big South.

The accolades didn’t cease there. Jones was selected as the Big South Conference Men’s Basketball Player of the Year in his redshirt junior year and was again named first team All-Big South. His junior year seemed to kick his career into high gear as he averaged 20 points, 5.1 rebounds, and 5.5 assists in each game. As he was set to graduate at the end of the 2019–20 school year, he chose the University of Louisville for his final season of eligibility instead of returning to Radford.

At the University of Louisville, Jones’ performance remained remarkable, earning him high praise as one of the best available graduate transfers in the nation. He played in 19 games for the Cardinals but went undrafted in the 2021 NBA draft. Nevertheless, this was not the end of his journey as he joined the Dallas Mavericks for the NBA Summer League and even signed a contract with them on August 21, 2021. However, his stint with the Mavericks was short-lived as he was waived in October of the same year and subsequently joined the Texas Legends.

Jones’ journey took him far and wide, from the Denver Nuggets to the Chicago Bulls and their G-League affiliate team. He signed with the Bulls, appearing in G League’s inaugural “Next Up Game” for the 2022-23 season. His impressive performance earned him the prestigious NBA G League Most Valuable Player title in 2023. However, Jones was waived by the Bulls just before the commencement of the 2023-24 season.

Jones’ international career began in earnest on November 1, 2023, when he signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association. This was followed by joining Partizan of the ABA League, Basketball League of Serbia (KLS), and the EuroLeague on August 20, 2024. This move represented a major leap in his career.

In addition to his illustrious club career, Jones’ international career has been equally impressive. He gained naturalized citizenship to play for the South Sudan national team and made his debut during the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup. This inaugural appearance resulted in a stunning performance, recording 35 points, 11 rebounds, and six assists against Puerto Rico. He also made history by recording a triple double in an exhibition game ahead of the 2024 Olympics, becoming the first player to achieve this against the United States.

In conclusion, Carlik Anthony Jones has had a rewarding professional basketball career, rising above numerous challenges and making considerable contributions wherever he has played. Despite the highs and lows, Jones’ unyielding spirit ensures that he remains a figure to watch in international basketball.