ROBINSON — It’s hard to average almost 20 points a game and go unnoticed.
Yet, when people talk about the area’s best players, they often forget about Robinson’s Ben Jones.
Colleges, too, don’t know much about the 6-foot shooting guard.
Jones has heard from only a few colleges — mostly Division II and junior colleges — despite his vital role on one of the state’s best Class 2A teams. Considering Jones’ ability to make a jump shot on demand and the constant praise from Robinson coach Bob Coffman, it’s a surprise more people aren’t packing Robinson’s gym to get a look at him play.
“Others may overlook him, but we don’t,” Coffman said. “We all know how valuable he is to our success. Beyond our basketball family some people may not quite know about him, but they should.”
Outsiders know all about Jones’ teammate, 7-foot Meyers Leonard. Leonard’s been a household name since being recruited to play for Illinois early in his high school career. What people forget is that Jones led Robinson in scoring a season ago and is the team’s leading scorer this year at 19.9 points a game.
“I know my role,” Jones said about playing with Leonard. “I am definitely a scorer. What’s hard is not having any publicity because I just want people to know I can play.”
Leonard has tried to help his teammate get the word out. When they played in Champaign against Rock Island and high-Division I recruit Chasson Randle back in early December, Leonard knew it was the perfect opportunity for Jones to get noticed.
“I told him for this game, he should really go at (Rock Island) and put himself on the map,” Leonard said after the game. “I think he really did. (Ben’s) a solid player.
“This is a bigger stage playing against Chasson and there are some scouts here. It was a good opportunity for him and he did pretty well.”
Robinson lost 58-53, but Jones impressed.
He led the Maroons with 17 points and six rebounds and defended Randle well. He also proved he could get his jumper off on the inch taller Randle who’s being recruited by Illinois and slew of other big schools.
“I think if I was two or three inches taller, I would be getting some Division I calls,” Jones said. “But I’ve been really working on my jumping.”
Jones has been able to dunk for a while, but it’s become easier with the work he’s done to improve his vertical.
It’s no surprise to Coffman that Jones has put that work in. Jones’ work ethic has always been a bright spot and it’s led to him being the strongest guy on the team.
Jones said he leads the squad in every lift in the weight room, benching 245 pounds (Leonard benches 235), power cleaning 250 and dead lifting 450.
“That’s one of my strong points — lifting,” Jones said. “Meyers has been catching me, though. We both push each other a lot in the weight room."
Jones’ strength was one of those characteristics that impressed Coffman four years ago.
Combine that with his ability to rebound and get to the rim and there wasn’t much missing from Jones’ game. Thus, he’s been a three-year starter for Coffman and reached the 1,000-point plateau as junior.
What’s left for Jones and Leonard is to lead Robinson (10-3) to its first-ever state title. And with it will come more exposure for Jones and possibly more scholarship offers.
“That would be huge,” Jones said about getting to state. “I have always wanted to go to state and that could translate to a scholarship.”
Until then, Jones will continue to work hard and hope someone sees that being a 6-foot shooting guard doesn’t matter.
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