Dillon Jones ('20) Leaps in to 1st Round of NBA Draft (Pick 26)

Capping off the opening night at the 2024 NBA Draft, Dillon Jones, alum of Sunrise Christian Academy's class of 2020, was selected by the Oklahoma City Thunder with the 26th overall pick. This selection by the reigning #1 seed in the Western Conference brings Jones back to the NBA franchise that is located closest to his high school family at Sunrise Christian Academy in Bel Aire, Kansas. With his pick, Jones became the third Sunrise Christian Academy alumni to be drafted in the 1st round over the past two NBA drafts.

Standing at 6'5", Jones, according to Rotowire.com "...possesses enough power, strength and tenacity to defend forwards at the next level, although he has also enough lateral quickness to handle smaller guards if needed. An area where he particularly thrives is rebounding as Jones is elite on the glass for his size." After committing to Weber State University, Dillon never gave up on his goals of reaching heights that many around him thought to be impossible. Jones also led the Big Sky Conference in total points, defensive rebounds and assists per game in 2023-24, and he was named to the All-Big Sky 1st Team in his last two seasons. He was also named the 2023-24 Big Sky Player of the Year. Jones' journey to the NBA is a testament to the Sunrise's commitment to nurturing and developing talent, a legacy evident in the production of over 125 Division I basketball players and several NBA stars.

Coach Kyle Lindsted shared his thoughts on Dillon's achievement, "Dillon is everything that Sunrise represents. He committed himself to being the best person and player he could be coming in to Sunrise, carried that in to his time at Weber State, and I know he'll only continue that now with the Oklahoma City Thunder. We're all incredibly excited for Dillon and his family and can't wait to see him play just down the road in Oklahoma City! He's a testament to the fact that you don't need to come in at SCA as the five-star or leave as the high major player, but that with a belief in the people and process around you great things are possible." remarked Lindsted.

As Jones transitions to the NBA, Sunrise Christian Academy continues to support its alumni, leveraging its extensive network of college programs and NBA teams to provide ongoing guidance and opportunities. This unwavering commitment to its players underscores Sunrise's reputation as a breeding ground for excellence in both basketball and life beyond the game.

Jones' selection by the Thunder signifies not only a personal victory but also a triumph for the entire Sunrise Christian Academy community. His journey to the NBA embodies the spirit of perseverance, dedication, and excellence that Sunrise strives to instill in all its students. With his skill set, work ethic, and the foundation laid at Sunrise, Jones "...has the scoring ability and size to eventually make an impact as a role player in the NBA, but he could develop into a reliable starter."

Sunrise Christian Academy's philosophy remains steadfast: from the moment a student steps on campus, they are dedicated to their development and success, ensuring the student will be ready to excel at the highest levels of basketball. Dillon's remarkable achievement is a shining example of this commitment in action.

Player profile quotes taken from an article on RotoWire.com previewing Dillon Jones