Former Purdue Guard Lance Jones Inducted into High School Hall of Fame
Lance Jones, a former Purdue basketball standout and current graduate assistant, was inducted into the Evanston Township High School Athletics Hall of Fame. Jones scored 1,306 points in high school and later played at Southern Illinois before transferring to Purdue for his final season. He is now beginning his coaching career as a graduate assistant under Matt Painter.
Jones' prep career at Evanston Township included 108 team victories and a state runner-up finish, alongside his 1,306 career points and All-State recognition. He carried that production to Southern Illinois, where he amassed 1,514 points over four seasons before using his final year of eligibility at Purdue. In West Lafayette, he averaged 11.7 points per game while helping the Boilermakers post a 34-5 record, capture the Big Ten regular-season title, and reach the Final Four for the first time in over four decades.
After a brief professional stint that included NBA Summer League action with the Indiana Pacers and a short overseas engagement, Jones returned to Purdue this summer as a graduate assistant. He joins fellow former Boilermaker Sterling Carter on Matt Painter's staff, with Painter noting both players' significant contributions during their single seasons in the program.
This honor may inspire young athletes in the Evanston community by demonstrating that sustained effort at the high school level can lead to collegiate success and a professional path. Jones' transition from player to coach could also signal a growing trend of recent graduates returning to mentor current rosters, potentially strengthening program continuity and player development at Purdue and similar programs nationwide.