Written by: Cassandra Blake

Derrick Jones Jr.: The High-Flying Sensation of the NBA

Derrick Jones Jr. is a name synonymous with dunking virtuosity, earning him the moniker "Airplane Mode." This American professional basketball player has taken the NBA by storm with his gravity-defying leaps and impressive athletic prowess.

Early Life and High School Career

Born on February 15, 1997, Jones Jr. began making waves in the basketball world during his high school days at Archbishop John Carroll High School. In his senior year (2014-2015), he racked up an impressive array of accolades, including the Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Delaware County Player of the Year, and PIAA Triple-A Player of the Year. He was also selected first-team All-Catholic League.

Under the guidance of coach Paul Romanczuk, Jones Jr. led Archbishop Carroll to a 23-7 overall record and 12-3 mark in conference play. His impressive stats during that season included 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game.

College Career and Controversy

Jones Jr. joined the UNLV Runnin' Rebels for his freshman season in the 2015-2016 NCAA season. However, his eligibility was called into question due to an investigation into his ACT test scores by the NCAA Eligibility Center. Although initially cleared, his score was later cancelled, rendering him ineligible to compete under NCAA rules. As a result, Jones Jr. was forced to sit out the remaining three games of UNLV's season.