Morgantown, WV – Former Mountaineer standout Kevin Jones will now continue his professional career in Japan. According to an official press release from the organization, Jones has signed with the Levanga Hokkaido in the B-League.
Tom Bellato of the U.S. Basketball Writers Association shared the news via X.
Former West Virginia standout Kevin Jones (@kevjones5) is back in Japan with a new club.
The forward joins Jahlil Okafor and John Harrar as imports on the roster.
Jones averaged 9.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 37.4% from three. #BestVirginia https://t.co/ImzVsvash9
— Tom Ballato (@thenextprospect) July 25, 2025
Jones, a former West Virginia University star, is set to continue his professional career in Japan after several successful seasons in the country’s top basketball league. The 35‑year‑old averaged 9.6 points, 5.7 rebounds and shot 37.4 percent from three in 58 games with Sun Rockers Shibuya last season, demonstrating that he can still provide reliable scoring and rebounding in a competitive league. Levanga finished near the bottom of the B1 standings in 2024‑25 and hopes Jones’ versatility and veteran leadership will help the team for the upcoming season.
In a statement on Levanga’s website, Jones said he was “very excited to continue my career in Japan with Levanga Hokkaido and to play in front of all of the fans.” He believes the team “will be very competitive” and pledged to “contribute in any way I can to building team success. General manager Ryota Sakurai highlighted Jones’ professionalism and experience, noting that his long career with top clubs overseas and his strong outside shooting would be vital assets for a young Levanga roster. The front office expects his calm presence and high‑percentage three‑point shooting to steady the team during close games.
Jones’ route to Levanga spans three continents. After going undrafted in 2012, he played briefly for the Cleveland Cavaliers before embarking on an international career that has taken him to France, Serbia, Russia, Spain and several Japanese teams. He joined the B.League in 2018 and has since suited up for Alvark Tokyo, Kyoto Hannaryz, Ryukyu Golden Kings and Sun Rockers Shibuya. The Levanga roster announcement lists his career stops: 2012‑13 with the Cavaliers, 2013‑14 for the Canton Charge, followed by stints with Cholet Basket in France, KK Partizan in Serbia, Lokomotiv Kuban in Russia and Baskonia in Spain before returning to the B.League. Those experiences have honed his all‑around game and made him a valuable mentor for younger teammates.
At West Virginia University, Jones was a cornerstone of the Mountaineers’ 2010 Final Four team and earned second‑team All‑American honors. Despite those achievements, he went undrafted, leading to a short stint with the Cavaliers before he began his international journey.
Jones played for the Mountaineers from 2008-2012. He is a member of the WVU Sports Hall of Fame, being inducted in 2022.
The New York native has also spent time with Best Virginia of the TBT.
AloJapan.com