Vikings’ Melvin Jones to be on NBC’s “Today Show”

Melvin Jones is in the middle of his senior season as the starting point guard on the Portland State basketball team, and is also on the verge of graduating with a degree in child and family studies. However, things weren’t always on the positive side for the 22-year-old Seattle native.

Growing up, Jones was the fourth of five children in a struggling single-parent household. Despite his mother’s challenging circumstances, Mary Jones tried her best to keep the family together before she died from AIDS in 2004.

After his mother’s passing, Jones bounced around from family member to family member, unable to find a stable environment. He had trouble with the law and got into problems at school, until eventually he was taken in by Jennifer Annable, a teacher from his high school.

Annable, her husband and her family have cared for over five foster children throughout the years, and were able to help Jones get his life back on the right path. They helped him find success at school, encouraged his basketball talent and provided him with a loving family. Jones now considers Jennifer his “second mother.”

“Jennifer means a lot to me,” Jones said. “She’s just a great person.”

Already this year, Jones has had the Portland Tribune and the Seattle Times publish articles covering his life and the obstacles he’s been able to overcome. Jones has been working with a production crew from the “Today Show” for the past couple months, including filming trips to his home, visits to campus and coverage of basketball games.

Still, Jones hasn’t let this distract him. Although he admits it can be strange at times, he insists that’s it’s been a good experience overall.

“It’s been fun,” Jones said. “Kinda crazy, but a lot of fun. Mainly, I’ve been trying to just focus on basketball.”

Jones is currently averaging 33.1 minutes, 11.3 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game this season. He has a 3.25 GPA at Portland State and has been on the Dean’s List since last winter term. Jones hopes to find a job doing social work in the future or possibly get involved with coaching basketball after his playing career is over.

Jones’ feature is for Bob Dodson’s “American Story” series, which focuses on unsung citizens whose actions touch others. The “Today Show” is expected to run the story on Monday morning, between 8:30–9 a.m. ?