#13: Former Brooklyn Nets Coach and the current Head Coach of St. Stephens St. Agnes, Mike Jones, shares the principles that have enabled him to achieve excellence in his life as a professional basketball player, coach, and both husband and father. Even more significant is that he shares how he is determined to give back through his foundation, the MJ Foundation.

Mike Jones was the first member of his family to attend college. He also had to make a tough decision that ultimately changed the trajectory of his life as he got into high school. He was given the opportunity to attend a different high school, but it was not easy to leave his friends. Growing up he learned the value of hard work from watching his parents and applied that to everything he did. As he excelled in sports and the classroom he earned the honors of the Oklahoma High School Player of the Year, as well as a scholarship opportunity to play college basketball. 

As a player, under Coach Billy Tubbs, he was on some of the most successful teams in TCU basketball history. While at TCU he recorded 51 points & 45 points in back-to-back games, as well as having a handful of 40+ point games. In 1997 he earned the opportunity to represent the USA in the World Games. After being disappointed from going undrafted, he talks about continuing to be disciplined and consistent to achieve his goal of playing professional basketball. He also discusses some of the lessons he has learned from his time playing and coaching. 

Some key points:
- Put in the work
- Separation is in the preparation
- You have to believe in yourself and have confidence
- Stay consistent and disciplined
- Don't compare yourself to others, just focus on being your best
- The best teams have accountability
- You can't do the bare minimum and expect results
- Pinpoint what you want to do, lock in, stay laser-focused until you achieve that goal

The mission of the Mike Jones Foundation is to provide minority students from public schools in the DMV City the opportunity to attend and graduate from a college preparatory school in the Mike Jones foundation’s coalition of schools.

For more about the Mike Jones Foundation check out:
mjonesfoundation.org