FAIRFAX, Va. – George Mason University men's basketball head coach Tony Skinn ('06) has announced that forward Elijah Jones will join the program for the 2026-27 campaign.
 
Jones enjoyed a breakout season as a junior at UTEP, where he ranked second on the team in scoring (13.1 ppg), rebounding (5.4 rpg) and blocks (1.1 bpg).
 
"Elijah made a huge jump this year," Skinn said. "He's a dynamic combo forward who can play the four and five positions. He's able to post up and also shoots the basketball at a high level. Going into the offseason, shooting was a priority for our staff and he adds that ability to space the floor.  He's also an excellent offensive rebounder. From a defensive standpoint, he fits who we need to be."
 
An All-Conference USA Honorable Mention selection, Jones posted a team-leading 24 double-digit scoring efforts, including doing so over the first 13 games of the year. The 6-foot-8-inch, 220-pound forward also notched 20+ points in six contests (three in CUSA), including a career-high 25 points at regular-season champion Liberty (Jan. 17).
 
Jones led the team in 3pt percentage overall (.386) and in CUSA play (.411). His 49 made 3-pointers ranked second on the Miners. The Pleasantville, N.J., product ranked sixth in the league in field goal percentage (.479), 10th in blocks/game (1.1) and 18th in points per game (13.1).
 
As a sophomore, Jones appeared in 33 games for UTEP while averaging 3.5 points and 2.3 rebounds in 10.3 minutes/contest. He led the team in blocks (23) and shot 40 percent from beyond the arc. An All-CUSA Freshman selection in 2023-24, he was a four-time CUSA Rookie of the Week pick and shot 60.9 percent during his rookie campaign.
 
He scored 625 points over three seasons for the Miners and shot a cumulative 38.7 percent (67-173) from beyond the arc.
 
Jones attended Mt. Zion Prep in Maryland and helped lead his team to a No. 4 National Prep Coaches Ranking. He averaged 14.1 points, 7.1 rebounds and 2.4 blocks per contest during the 2021-22 campaign.
 
Jones joins Baraka Okojie (Brampton, Ontario/Mercer), Emmett Adair (Sydney, Australia/Loyola (Md.)), Makhai Valentine (Munhall, Pa./NIU), Efeosa Oliogu-Elabor (Markham, Ontario/Butler), Lilian Marville (Orleans, France/UNCG) and Michael Marcus Jr. (Indian Trail, N.C./Appalachian State) in George Mason's talented transfer class. They will suit up alongside a group of Patriot returners which includes 2025-26 Preseason All-A-10 First Team selection Brayden O'Connor, Emmanuel Kanga, Malik Presley and Ryan-Preston Mendy.

Secure Your Seats for the 2026-27 Campaign!
Season ticket renewals are live for the 2026-27 and run through June 16. Tickets and seat fees can be paid via George Mason Account Manager and can be purchased in full or through an extended payment plan option. Season ticket holders who renew by May 19 will be entered to win an exclusive gameday behind-the-scenes experience with the team. Fans interested in new season tickets can place a deposit here.