PENN STATE ALTOONA'S JONES SIGNS WITH PORTUGUESE PROFESSIONAL TEAM

On the heels of his standout career with the Penn State Altoona men’s basketball program, Dwayne Jones has signed a one-year contract with Club 5Basket, a professional team based in Gondomar, Portugal.

Jones enjoyed a three-year career with the Penn State Altoona men’s basketball team, competing with the Lions from 2022-25 and graduating from the college last May. He was an AMCC all-conference selection in each of his three seasons and was voted the league’s Defensive Player of the Year all three years.

Now, Jones feels fortunate for the opportunity to extend his basketball playing career at a professional level in Europe with Club 5Basket, a team that competes in the Portuguese Campeonato Nacional 1 Divisao Masculina.

“Playing professional ball has been a dream since I was a kid growing up in Philly and Johnstown, and to see the years of my hard work, early mornings, and setbacks finally paying off is really humbling,” said Jones. “It’s not just about me. It’s about representing my family, my city, my school, and everyone who ever believed in me. It’s proof that, with dedication and resilience, you can carve out your own path in this world one day at a time.”

Jones completed his collegiate career as one of the top players in Penn State Altoona men’s basketball history. He finished his time with the Lions ranked in the top 10 of several all-time program records, including being first in team history in defensive rebounds per game (6.1), second in total rebounds (642), defensive rebounds (479), and blocked shots (175), third in field goals made (447), blocks per game (2.2), steals (128), and free throws made (239), fifth in points scored (1,159), field goal percentage (.564), total rebounds per game (8.1), and offensive rebounds (163), and sixth in points per game (14.7).

Jones credits his time at Penn State Altoona for his development, both on and off the court.

 

“Penn State Altoona was critical in shaping me, both as a player and as a person,” he said. “My coaching staff is like my second family who pushed me to develop not just my skills, but also my leadership and mental toughness. Being in a smaller program meant I had to grind for every opportunity and learn how to stand out in different ways, which definitely prepared me for the next level.”

Jones is the second player in Penn State Altoona men’s basketball history to secure a professional contract upon graduation, joining former Lion Ishimeal Nance (2016-18) as the only athletes in team history to go pro. Men’s basketball head coach David McGreal is proud that Jones will now be representing Penn State Altoona overseas while showcasing the caliber of athletes produced by NCAA Division III basketball.

“Having Dwayne get a pro contract and get the chance to play professional basketball in a good league in Portugal makes me so proud and happy for him and all he has accomplished. He earned this opportunity,” McGreal said. “He has been a force for us the past three years, his game developed, and the scouts noticed. I am also proud of how Dwayne improved as a teammate and as a young man. Having now our second former player go pro in my tenure here, it shows that we can get real high-level players here at Penn State Altoona and in Division III altogether. So I am proud that he will be representing Penn State Altoona, but also NCAA DIII basketball.”

More information on Club 5Basket can be found on the web, as well as the team’s Instagram page @club5basket.