CHARLESTON, S.C. - The kind nature of Charleston Southern University's campus has always been present, but when 6'10" Reis Jones arrived in the summer of 2024, that positivity measurement became even more paramount. 

The athletic career for the once child-sized, believe it or not, kid from Fort Washington, Maryland began far before he could even say the word "basketball". The only son of the physically impressive Jones family, Reis was raised by former Maryland Terrapin and professional athlete, Thomas Jones, as well as former Winnipeg Coyote and professional athlete, Michelle Jonasson-Jones. Any decently accurate Punnett square would tell you that the Jones family is probably full of high-level competitors, and that genetic predisposition to athletic success would be correct. Of the six Jones children, five have competed in division one athletics, with some anticipating or already enjoying professional sports careers of their own. Rainelle (24) is currently a middle blocker for the San Diego Mojo of the Pro Volleyball Federation. Ria (20) is a rower at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Renee (18) was an opposite at IMG Academy last fall before signing to play at the University of Arizona last December. Ryla (also 18) played in this past season's NCAA Final Four as a middle blocker for the Pitt Panthers volleyball program.

The exceptional success level of the Jones children has always been prioritized by the parents that raised them. After playing three seasons with the Oxen Hill High School men's basketball program, Reis and his siblings enrolled at Flint Hill, a private institution roughly 20 miles down the Maryland road. At both schools, Reis remembered greatly enjoying his experience and receiving sufficient resources and training that helped progress his student-athlete journey.

With a handful of college basketball offer letters, Reis elected to join the Eagles of Morehead State, a program that made an NCAA Tournament appearance in 2021. In Morehead, Kentucky, Reis cited the bond with his teammates and his appreciation for the northern Kentucky landscape as some off the court factors that made his time in the bluegrass state so noteworthy.

"Morehead State was in the middle of nowhere, but I love the country and mountains and the people there were great to be around so that all allowed me to really enjoy myself outside of just basketball."

Many members of Buc Nation who have had the privilege of getting to know Reis Jones would surely find it incredibly easy to believe that he would be able to find friends and enjoyable company in any corner of the country… or Kentucky. One of these members being Bucs' Head Coach Saah Nimley.

"(Reis) is as stand-up of a kid that I have met… He's always smiling and enjoyable to be around. Those kids that are able to just bring the energy in the room up by just being there are very valuable and that's what Reis provides to us."

Reis was placed highly on the CSU recruiting board when Coach Nimley got the interim head coaching tag in December of last season.

"I knew that he fit right in with what I wanted this team to look like moving forward so we made him a priority."

Needing more in game experience, Reis transferred to Florida Southwestern, a successful junior college program in Fort Myers, Florida. While at FSW, Reis remembered being heavily communicated with by Coach Nimley and Assistant Coach Nate Louis.

"Coach (Nimley) and Nate sounded very excited about me… they seemed like really genuine people.  They got me on a visit to CSU, and all the people I met on campus seemed very genuine and like they cared about you. From what Coach (Nimley) told me, I felt I could really develop as a person and as a basketball player (at Charleston Southern)."

After signing with CSU, Reis joined the Buccaneers last summer. Also joining the Bucs was fellow 6'10" hooper and now Jones' hotel partner on team road trips, Jaylon Gibson. Gibson associates nothing but wholesome and hard working stories with his friendship with Jones, beginning with their countless hours on the water in the Lowcountry.

"As soon as Reis arrived on campus (last) summer, we connected through fishing… after our workouts, we would chill at one of the local lakes or beaches with a few of our new teammates."

Not knowing Jaylon brought up fishing in his comments for this article, Reis also brought up the lip ripping activity and how it influenced the early bonding of this year's roster.

"(Fishing), can be calming and relaxing… then exciting when a fish bites and you get to reel it in. Taking my teammates out is really fun too because you get to be there building camaraderie while teaching them a new skill… it's pretty cool."

Being two same height additions from the transfer portal last summer, Jones and Gibson saw many tough battles in practice against one another.

"(Reis) has definitely made me a better player by pushing me everyday in practice."

Since those summer practice sessions, Reis' journey as a Buccaneer has been full of progression. When asked about which ways he has seen Jones grow on the court, Coach Nimley pointed to a few different aspects.

"Him learning our system is something I have really noticed. Learning our culture, understanding who we are and what we have to do to be successful… to me, he is really just scratching the surface of how good he can be moving forward so that is really exciting as a coach."

Although his ceiling as a basketball player is excitingly still revealing itself, his current performances halfway through 2024-25 conference play is not too shabby. Currently in the Big South conference, Reis is top-ten in Rebounds Per Game and top-four in Blocked Shots. On the offensive side of the ball, several dunks from #23 can be found all over the CSU men's basketball social media pages.

The Buc Dome floor is where many spectators see Jones go to work, but off the court, he has seen just as much individual progression.

"Since being at CSU, I have grown stronger in my faith and have learned more about what makes division one basketball what it is. The community here is great and my teammates are amazing… we have a really connected group who love being around each other."

A special quality about Reis is his ability to fully absorb the moment he's in. That quality was recalled by Coach Nimley when he was asked for a final thought about the third oldest member of the Jones' sibling lineup.

"One thing I really enjoy about (Reis) is that he truly is where his feet are. He is taking in his experience as a division one basketball player as well as a student at our university… that has been cool for me to witness."

Whether it's protecting the rim, ripping lips on a random pond in the Lowcountry woods, or cheering his heart out at a Buccaneer volleyball match, Reis Jones will give it his all with a smile that's luckily not sold separately. That's who Coach Nimley recruited, and that's who the campus of Charleston Southern University is now lucky to be home to.