Photo credit: Sports In Focus

FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University men's basketball incoming recruit Blake Jones was named the Most Valuable Player of the Australian U-20 National Championship after leading Queensland to the tournament title.
 
Jones led the tournament with 9.4 rebounds per game and ranked second in scoring (20.0 ppg) to push his squad to the national crown. He also dished out 3.4 assists per game and shot 49.4 percent from the floor.

"Winning the national championship meant everything to me," Jones said. "It was my fifth time competing in the tournament and after three silvers, winning gold meant so much. Last year, we lost the grand final at the buzzer so there was definitely a little extra fueling the team this year. It was amazing to come out with the result we wanted."
 
He became just the second player in Australian history to earn multiple Bob Staunton MVP Awards, joining San Antonio Spurs star Patty Mills in the elite company. Jones also was named MVP of the tournament in 2020. 

"To win MVP for the second-consecutive year was a major achievement," Jones said. "Being mentioned in the same breath with Patty Mills is an honour and hopefully I can follow in his footsteps after everything he has achieved throughout his career."
 
Jones' best work came when it mattered most, as he tallied 20+ points in each of the final two games of the event. He tallied 21 points and 10 rebounds in the semifinals versus Victoria, then notched a tournament-best 26 points (3-6 3pt FG) to go along with five rebounds in the final contest vs. the NBA Global Academy.

Now, Jones will prepare to make the trans-continental journey to Fairfax to begin his Patriot career this summer. 

"I'm so excited to get over to Mason and join the team," Jones said. "We've got a great group of guys and I can't wait to get to work. Hopefully we can do some pretty special things together this season."