On the field, Darion Jones, 11, wears number 11 on the football field, but on the basketball court, he wears number 12. Jones is a three-star recruit who plays both sides of the ball as a junior.  

Most students playing school sports receive their offers anywhere from their senior year to the offseason before. Unlike other athletes, Jones has received seven division one offers as a junior.  

Jones plays three different sports throughout the 24-25 school year. During the beginning of the 2024 fall season, he played football for North’s Varsity team. In December, Jones played on different levels of the basketball team.  

Although basketball is not Jones’ main sport, he excelled during the season. At the start of the season, Jones played on the boys’ reserve team, where he was a part of the starting line-up every other game. By the end of the season, Jones moved up to the Varsity team. 

As spring sports roll around, Jones will try out for the track and field team, which he was a part of last season.  

Niles Paul, football receiver coach, believes that getting involved in other sports can be beneficial for the athletes. 

“My players need to run track to not only get faster but become more explosive,” said Paul. 

Due to Jones being a multiple sport athlete, he puts a large amount of stress on his body. In his free time, Jones spends time recovering in his massage chair that he has at home. Outside of the massage chair, he spends a lot of time in the North Training Room. There, he spends his time in the ice bath or receiving treatment from North’s head trainer, Cassidy Brannon.  

“Being able to keep your body as sharp and ready to go will really help show your full potential,” said Jones. 

Jones has always had passion for the sport. Jones likes to envision what he will do on the field the night before. 

“Having a positive mindset and dreaming about what you are going to do in that game is essential,” said Jones. 

Jones credits a great deal of his success to his older brother and parents. His parents put him through many hard days of training and ensured that he was always present at early morning or late-night practices. His parents also made sure that he always had all the pieces of equipment that would result in success. From a young age, his older brother Donovan pushed him to be where he is at today.  

“I always looked up to Donovan and wanted to fill his shoes, if not be better than him,’’ said Jones. 

Donovan has taught him different training techniques, game strategies, and good habits over the years. 

Jones attributes his success to not only his family, but his teammates and the coaches. 

“Not only my teammates help me. My coaches help even more. They train me, work me, and care for me,” said Jones.