Mental Health Advocate
Jumaine Jones is a 16-year professional basketball veteran, NBA Hall of Famer, Gold Medalist, Author, Philanthropist, Mental Health Advocate, and Motivational Speaker who was born in Cocoa, Florida, and raised by a single mother. He currently utilizes his "pro-athlete status" as a platform to educate and uplift youth athletes and communities by building their self-esteem, increasing mental health awareness, and developing transformative life skills.
Jumaine's story is the embodiment of turning struggles into strength. Jumaine Jones, also known as the "Thrilla from Camilla," graduated from Mitchell-Baker High school in 1997. He attended the University of Georgia on a full basketball scholarship.
After two years of college, Jumaine entered the 1999 NBA draft and was drafted 27th in the first round by the Atlanta Hawks but traded immediately to the Philadelphia 76ers. Jones #33 first made a name for himself in the 2001 NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, flying high with his dunks off of alley-oops from Allen Iverson. After eight years in the NBA, Jumaine also played an impressive eight years of International Basketball and traveled the world.
Astonishingly, in 2015, Jumaine walked away from the game of basketball. During his retirement, he became depressed and could no longer identify his life's purpose. As a by-product, Jumaine overindulged in alcohol and unhealthy relationships, and this behavior proceeded on for three years before he gained the courage to ask for professional help.
During this process, he not only found that fortifying his mental health would be a lifelong ordeal; but he uncovered that he was painfully overwhelmed with repressed emotions and childhood issues that affected him personally and professionally.
Jumaine’s' new look at life has allowed him to recognize his full potential; he is sincere about his journey to healing relationships and un-relentless about advocating for those who lack resources in the communities he lives, works, and visits.
