Butler’s Roosevelt Jones talks road to NCAA tournament

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Butler senior Roosevelt Jones has a unique game that opponents have a hard time preparing for. His entire offense comes in the paint.

As a guard, Jones has no jump shot, he only pushes and floats, and has one career three pointer to his name.

24-Hour News 8 asked him why. He says it stems from an 8th grade church league in O’Fallon, Illinois, where he had to craft his game after breaking his wrist.

“I was a bigger kid, so I had to play against pastors and priests,” said the 6 foot 4 inch and 225 pounder. “They were always physical, constantly blocking my shots, so I had to shoot floaters to get over them. It worked, even though they were always getting mad at me. The crowds were always booing the priests because they were so rough.”

Jones laughed at the memory, but they helped him in the end. Jones and his Bulldogs open the NCAA tournament Thursday at 12:30 p.m. against Texas Tech in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Watch 24-Hour News 8 for continuing coverage during the tournament.