In this Monday, July 3, 2017 photo, Trey McKinney-Jones (12) of the Indiana Pacers takes a shot against Miami Heat's Bam Adebayo during the first half of an NBA summer league basketball game in Orlando, Fla. McKinney-Jones, a South Milwaukee graduate, has signed a 10-day contract with the Pacers.(Photo: The Associated Press)
Trey McKinney-Jones wasn't even thought of as the best player on his own team, let alone an All-State candidate in 2008 as a senior at South Milwaukee High School.
But not every NBA player needs the early accolades.
ESPN breaking-news NBA reporter Adrian Wojnarowski reported Tuesday that the Indiana Pacers have signed the G-League guard to a 10-day contract. After his days at South Milwaukee, McKinney-Jones played college basketball at the University of Missouri-Kansas City and the University of Miami in Florida, from which he graduated in 2013.
It will be McKinney-Jones' first taste of NBA action.
McKinney-Jones went undrafted in 2013 out of Miami and has played in 26 games for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the G-League this year, averaging 11.4 points, 2.8 assists and 3.0 rebounds per game.
He spent some time with the Milwaukee Bucks for training camp in September 2013 but was waived after appearing in two preseason games.
ARCHIVE: Persistence led Trey McKinney Jones from South Milwaukee to Miami
Even as a first-team All Conference pick in the Southeast Conference, where he led the Rockets to a co-championship in the SEC North Division, McKinney-Jones did not receive any All-State accolades. He was one of five senior starters on the Rockets, including fellow Division I recruit Andy Smith. He did, however, start immediately at UM-KC.
South Milwaukee High School's Trey McKinney-Jones competes in the triple jump at the WIAA sectionals held May 22, 2008, at Wisconsin Lutheran High School. McKinney-Jones holds the triple jump and long jump school records. (Photo: File photo)
His athleticism was never in doubt. The 6-4 McKinney-Jones also won two state titles in the triple jump and holds school records in the triple jump and long jump. His uncle, Mark Jones, played for the Orlando Magic in the NBA, and his aunt, Esther Jones, was a national-champion track and field star at Louisiana State University in 1990 in the 100 and 200 meters and won an Olympic gold in 1992 as a member of the 4x100-meter relay.
McKinney-Jones hit six 3-pointers in an ACC Tournament game as a senior against North Carolina, marking a school tourney record. He played two seasons for the Hurricanes after sitting out a year following his transfer from UM-KC, and he started 32 of 34 games as a senior.
That included a 71-61 loss in the NCAA Tournament against Marquette University in the Sweet 16.
McKinney-Jones has played professionally in Hungary, Israel and France in addition to his time in the G-League.
Earlier this month, McKinney-Jones was among the 14 players named to the USA World Cup Qualifying Team, which participated in the training camp from Feb. 15-20. It appears he may be otherwise occupied and won't be taking a roster spot for World Cup qualifying beginning Feb. 23 in Puerto Rico. The USA team was scheduled to be announced after evening practice on Tuesday.
South Milwaukee's Trey McKinney-Jones comes down with a rebound during a game against Cudahy in December 2006. McKinney-Jones went on to play college basketball at the University of Missouri - Kansas City and the University of Miami (Fla.). (Photo: File photo)
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