Mark Jones (sportscaster) facts for kids

Mark Vernon Jones is a well-known Canadian sportscaster. He works for ABC and ESPN, where he announces many exciting sports games. He is also the main play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings basketball team on NBC Sports California. Mark Jones has been a part of the ESPN team since 1990. Before that, he worked for The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada. He mostly announces college football and NBA games for ABC and ESPN.

About Mark Jones

Mark Jones was born on November 16, 1961, in Toronto, Canada.

Mark Jones's Basketball Days

Before he became a famous sportscaster, Mark Jones was a talented basketball player! He went to York University and played for their basketball team. He helped his team win three championships in the Ontario Universities Athletics Association (OUAA) in 1981, 1984, and 1985.

Mark was one of the best players in the OUAA during his time. He was named an all-star in 1984 and 1985, and then a first-team all-star in 1986. He was a great guard for his team, known for his assists (passes that lead to scores) and steals (taking the ball from opponents). In 2016, Mark Jones was honored for his amazing basketball career when he was added to York University's Sport Hall of Fame.

Mark Jones's Broadcasting Career

Mark Jones started his career in sports broadcasting in Canada. From 1986 to 1990, he worked for The Sports Network (TSN). There, he was an anchor, which means he presented news and shows. He also hosted a show about the Toronto Blue Jays baseball team.

Joining ESPN and NBA Coverage

In 1990, Mark Jones joined ESPN, a big sports network in the United States. He started as the host of a weekly NBA show called NBA Today. He became known for ending the show by pretending to shoot a basketball as the lights went out.

Today, Mark Jones is a main play-by-play announcer for NBA games. This means he describes the action as it happens during the game. He works with different expert commentators like Jon Barry, Hubie Brown, Doris Burke, and others. He used to host KIA NBA Shootaround, which was a pregame show where he discussed NBA topics with other sports experts. He has also reported from the sidelines during NBA games.

Until 2023, Mark Jones was the lead play-by-play announcer for ABC's NBA Sunday Showcase, often working with Doris Burke.

Other Sports and Roles

Besides the NBA, Mark Jones also announces college football games for ESPN, ESPN2, or ABC. He often works with analyst Louis Riddick for these games. In the past, he also called men's college basketball games.

Mark Jones has also announced games for women's college basketball, the WNBA, and even the NHL. Sometimes, he works as an anchor or reporter for SportsCenter, which is ESPN's main sports news show. He has also helped cover big events like the NBA All-Star Weekend and the NBA Draft.

Family and Recent News

Mark Jones has a brother named Paul Jones, who is also a sportscaster. Paul is the radio play-by-play voice for the Toronto Raptors basketball team.

In 2020, Mark Jones became the main TV play-by-play announcer for the Sacramento Kings. In 2022, ESPN announced that Mark Jones signed a new contract, meaning he will continue to be a big part of their sports coverage for many years.

In May 2022, Mark Jones stepped in to announce some very important NBA playoff games. He called Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Boston Celtics and Miami Heat. He also announced the first two games of the NBA Finals between the Celtics and the Golden State Warriors. He filled in for the usual announcer, Mike Breen, who was unable to work at that time.

Mark Jones has also used his voice to support important social causes.