Mark Jones (sportscaster)
Mark Jones | |
|---|---|
| Born | (1961-11-16) November 16, 1961 Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Occupation | Sportscaster |
| Years active | 1986–present |
| Television | The Sports Network (1986–1990) ABC and ESPN (1990–present) |
Mark Jones (born November 16, 1961) is a Canadian-American sportscaster for ABC and ESPN since 1990. Prior to that, Jones worked for The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada. He primarily covers college football and NBA games on ABC and ESPN.
Contents
1 Biography
1.1 Broadcasting career
1.2 Notable calls
2 External links
Biography
Broadcasting career
Before Jones assumed his current roles at ESPN, he worked for The Sports Network (TSN) in Canada from 1986 to 1990 as an anchor and hosting a Toronto Blue Jays magazine show.
Jones began his ESPN career as the host of the weekly NBA show, the NBA Today. He would usually end the show by shooting an imaginary basketball into the air as the studio lights went off. Jones currently does play-by-play on NBA games paired with any one of ESPN's current NBA game analysts like Jon Barry, Hubie Brown, P.J. Carlesimo, Mark Jackson, Jeff Van Gundy and Doris Burke. Jones has done NBA games in the past with Bill Walton until Walton left NBA coverage during the 2009 - 2010 season and also with Doug Collins. He was the primary host of KIA NBA Shootaround, the network's pregame show. On that program, he engaged Walton and Stephen A. Smith in topical debates about issues in the NBA. Jones has also done some sideline reporting for NBA games.
Jones also is lead play by play announcer on ABC's NBA Sunday Showcase with Hall of Famer Hubie Brown. He's considered one of the most knowledgeable and popular voices with a distinct style that resonates with basketball fans of all demographics. He also is on ESPN's college football, where he teams up with analyst Dusty Dvoracek on the network's coverage on ESPN, ESPN2 or ABC. He formally called men's SEC college basketball games on Saturday with analyst Kara Lawson. He has also done play-by-play and/or reporting for women's college basketball, the WNBA, and the NHL.
Jones has also occasionally served as an anchor/reporter for SportsCenter. Jones has contributed to NBA All-Star Weekend (Celebrity Game), NBA Draft Lottery, and has contributed to the network's NBA Draft coverage.
He is the younger brother of Paul Jones, the radio play-by-play voice of the Toronto Raptors.
Notable calls
November 25, 1995 - Jones was the play-by-play announcer for the Michigan - Ohio State game on ABC, when Michigan running back Tim Biakabutuka ran for 313 yards on 37 carries in a 31-23 upset victory over previously unbeaten rival Ohio State in Ann Arbor. On a 19-yard gain with 2:21 left in the second quarter.
“Just give it to Tim, it's simple! There’s no magic here! Give it to Biakabutuka!”
During a play near the end of the third quarter, Biakabutuka took a hand-off from Michigan Quarterback Brian Griese, then seemed to be running downfield with half the Buckeyes' defenders on his back, trying to pull him down during what resulted in a 38-yard gain.
"Biakabutuka! He. Doesn't. Wanna. Go. Down! You can't stop him! 38 Yards!"
April 18, 2015 – Jones was the play-by-play announcer for Game 1 of the Washington Wizards-Toronto Raptors series in the 2015 NBA Playoffs when Greivis Vasquez hit the game-tying 3 pointer with 25.4 seconds left in regulation.
Beal falls down... Vazquez for the tie... YES! G.V. shaking em up!
October 24, 2015 – Jones was the play-by-play announcer for the game between #9 ranked Florida State and Georgia Tech, where Georgia Tech blocked Roberto Aguayo's last-second field goal attempt and took it back for a walk-off touchdown for the upset win.
From the left hash, to remain unbeaten... and perhaps a player in the College Football Playoff, and the 29th consecutive conference win. BLOCKED! SNUFFED! RUBBED OUT! ERASED! And Georgia Tech with an opportunity. Austin, still on his feet... ONE MAN! YOU CAN'T BELIEVE WHAT JUST HAPPENED! WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE! Lance Austin, recovered the loose block, and scampered, bolted, escaped, eluded, every Seminole on the pitch. 78 yards, for the winning touchdown!
February 5, 2017 – Jones and Hubie Brown were the announcers for the NBA Sunday Showcase on ABC, calling the matchup between the Los Angeles Clippers and the Boston Celtics, Paul Pierce's final game at TD Garden. Jones and Brown on the call for when Pierce re-entered the game with 19.8 seconds left in the game.
Jones: And one last look at Pierce... From Inglewood, California began his career and played 15 years in Boston. And if you ask him, he'll always bleed Celtic green.
Brown: (As Pierce hits a 3) Ohh! Come on!
Jones: An appropriate ending for Paul Pierce.
May 12, 2017 – Jones was the play-by-play announcer for ESPN's coverage of Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Semifinals match-up of the Boston Celtics and the Washington Wizards. Jones and color analyst Hubie Brown on the call when John Wall hit a 3 pointer with 3.5 seconds left to put the Wizards ahead of the Celtics by a score of 92-91.
Jones: Porter can't find anybody... He gives it to Wall. Working against Bradley for 3! JOHN WALL!
Brown: Hold on.
Jones: What a shot!
Brown: Now you talk about a pressure shot, that was it!
October 13, 2017 – Jones was the caller of Miami v Georgia Tech when Miami pulled out a late win to go to 5-0 and look nationally relevant for the first time in over a decade, his call at the end of the game was
Coral Gables Stand Up
Liberty City Stand Up
Overtown Stand Up
Carol City Stand Up
The 'Canes are Back!!
External links
- Mark Jones ESPN Bio
- ABCMedianet.com profile
