The 6’8” forward, Popeye Jones, was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round (41st pick overall) of the 1992 NBA Draft from Murray State but played in Italy in 1992-93. After the year in Italy he had a 11 year career in the NBA.
He once secured 28 rebounds in a single game for the Mavericks in the 1995-96 campaign, still a team record.
Popeye Jones has been an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks after his playing days and is currently an assistant coach for the New Jersey Nets.
How did he get his Colorful name?
Ronald Jerome Jones got the nickname Popeye from his older brother David who was watching the Popeye cartoon on the television as his mother brought him home as an infant.
Note: Jones’ son, Seth was drafted in the 1st round of the 2009 WHL Bantam Draft. He was taken 11th overall by the Everett Silvertips.
