DANVILLE — Going away to school for basketball was a difficult decision for former Danville standout O’Shawn Jones-Winslow.
For the past two years, Jones-Winslow has been a part of the Kansas City Kansas Community College program and on Monday, the Blue Devils along with Jones-Winslow will begin their quest for an NJCAA Division II National Championship on the Dick Shockey Court at the Mary Miller Center.
“This is a very big opportunity, not just for me but everyone on this team. We are getting our chance to play on the big stage at the National Tournament,’’ said Jones-Winslow. “But, it’s definitely exciting for me, knowing that I get to play in front of the same fans that I played in front of in high school.’’
And while basketball is a big part of his life, Jones-Winslow has had a few life-changing moments in the past two years.
“My life is very different,’’ he said. “I feel that I’ve matured a lot since I left Danville. On this journey of life, I’m understanding what it takes to become a man and a father.’’
The latter happened last season, when Jones-Winslow saw his baby son, O’Shawn Jones-Winslow Jr., enter this world.
“Having someone else to look after all of the time, with long nights, early mornings, changing diapers and feeding schedules was a major adjustment,’’ said Jones-Winslow Sr. “You can probably here him in the background. It’s been a lot to deal with along with classes, and getting to the gym for workouts.
“Just learning to balance everything with proper time management has been a big part of growing up. And it helps having a really good support system around me that can help me when I need it.’’
But, Jones-Winslow also saw the other side of life.
Last year, teammate Mike’Quese Taylor, was shot and killed at his home in Peoria.
“That was a very tough situation,’’ Jones-Winslow said. “It makes you count your blessings like having a son in your life and having a chance to still play basketball.’’
There has also been other things, like not having a home court, that the Blue Devils have had to deal with for the past two seasons.
“We didn’t play a real home game all year,’’ Jones-Winslow said. “After practicing at any gym we could find last year, this year, there was a court at the HomeField Showcase Center in Kansas City just 10 minutes from campus that we used.
“Understanding all of the sacrifice that everyone has been through, to be here right now, is a credit to everyone buying in together, just becoming a real brotherhood and pushing ourselves to be great. There has been a lot of blood, sweat and tears that have gone into this team for the last two years.’’
Jones-Winslow acknowledged that making the National Tournament remained the team’s goal from their first day together back in 2023 until March 8 when Kansas City nipped Johnson County 74-73 in the Region 6 Plains District Championship game.
“I definitely thought we would make it to Danville in one of my two years there,’’ Jones-Winslow said. “We were right there last year and lost in the semifinal. This year, we got it done.’’
But Jones-Winslow was only able to play 11 minutes in that region championship, after missing the three previous games with leg injury.
“I had a high calf and (lateral collateral ligament) strain,’’ Jones-Winslow said. “I’ve been rehabbing every day since we won the region tournament, I definitely feel good enough to play right now. And honestly, there is no way that I’m going to miss playing in Danville.’’
While a National Championship is the ultimate goal for Jones-Winslow and the rest of the Blue Devils, there are other benefits to making the national tournament like playing in front of hundreds of four-year college coaches.
“I don’t know where I’m going next year. I’ve been talking to a few schools, but I haven’t found the right one yet,’’ he said. “I can remember seeing all of those college coaches watching the games when I was in high school and now I get to be one of those players.
“It’s a big opportunity for everyone on this team. It’s a chance to play on the biggest stage at our level and getting the recognition we deserve.’’
Jones-Winslow says that his grade-point average is just under a 3.0 right now, but he truly believes it will be over a 3.0 when this semester is over.
“My grades have been good,’’ he said. “My focus has been my son, my grades and basketball.’’
In the last two years, Jones-Winslow has only been back in town for holidays, but he is still going to serve as his team’s local guide.
“I can’t wait. We are scheduled to practice at the high school, so I will get to show my guys where I used to hoop it,’’ Jones-Winslow said. “And then, I think I might see if we can hit up Jocko’s, Lee’s or Monicals.’’