I am more than a little excited to welcome NBA’s Popeye Jones to my blog today. Popeye (given name “Ronald”) was a student of mine many years ago, and one of my fondest memories of him was how he was competitive in the classroom just as he was on the basketball court. I can still recall him stopping by my classroom on test days to see if I’d graded the tests yet, his main objective being making a better grade than his good friend who was in the same class!
Popeye, please tell us a little about your personal life. I was born in Martin, Tennessee, and grew up in Dresden, Tennessee. I was the youngest of five kids (three brothers and a sister). I got into sports because my brothers and sister played growing up. I attended high school in Dresden and received a scholarship to play basketball at Murray State University. My wife and I divorced in 2010 and have three wonderful boys, Justin, Seth, and Caleb. The two youngest play in the NHL. I remarried in 2017 (Kelsey), and we have a seven-month-old boy (Camden). He keeps me young and full of energy. He is a real joy! I spend all my time working to be a better basketball coach or hanging out with them.
When I was teaching, many of the student athletes in the high school aspired to go to the next level. What differences did you notice between playing basketball at those two levels? The difference in high school and college athletics is learning how to manage your time. You have to study extremely hard and spend a lot time becoming a better player. Everybody in college was good in high school, so the level of competition goes up. It’ s extremely tough as a freshman because you are playing against grown men. They have been in college for three or four years and have developed their bodies and skills. You can’t lose your confidence during the process. You must understand that it’s going to be hard days and extremely hard days. Just keep pushing forward! J
I remember how excited we all were when you were drafted by the NBA. I actually watched the draft that year, just because of you! Tell us about your experiences. Yes. I was drafted in 1992 by the Houston Rockets with the forty-first pick of the second round. Second-round picks don’t get guaranteed contracts, so my agent worked out a deal with an Italian club for a guaranteed contract. Looking back on it, it was the best decision ever. I lived in a small Italian town about twenty minutes outside Milan. I feel in love with their culture and, of course, the food. LOL. It got me out of my comfort zone and helped me to grow up as a man. I played extremely well.
How did your playing career evolve after you came back to the states? I played in the NBA for eleven years for seven different teams (Dallas, Toronto, Boston, Denver, Washington, Golden State). I was considered a journeyman. My first three years with the Dallas Mavs were my best in the NBA. I was able to establish myself as one of the best rebounders in the NBA. I tore my left ACL during my fourth year. I was never the same player for the next seven years as I had three more surgeries on the same knee. I continued to try and push through the problem, but it finally forced me to retire. Injuries are a big part of being an athlete, but it can really take the wind out of your sails. I really enjoyed living in so many different cities. After moving the family from Dallas, Toronto, Boston and Denver, we finally decided to settle down in Denver. Denver was my fav city out of all the cities that I lived in during my career. I love the beauty of the mountains and all the outdoor activities the city has to offer. I lived in an apartment in Washington and Oakland. I would always go back to Denver in the summer. I continued to live in Denver for six years., the rest of my playing career and additional two years after retiring.
Popeye, thanks again for answering my questions. Even though I have seen you from time to time over the years and knew some of this, it was great to have you fill in the gaps of the story of your life. Best wishes to you and your family!
Life As I know it 