Veteran Jones suspended indefinitely by league

Chris Jones, the star point guard for the London Lightning, has been suspended indefinitely by the BSL after a series of incidents — most recently a postgame altercation in Newfoundland on Jan. 3.

(Photo: Matt Hiscox Photography).

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Lightning guard Chris Jones has been suspended indefinitely from the Basketball Super League (BSL) following a series of incidents the league deemed “inconsistent” with its values, BSL officials announced today.

“This is truly unfortunate for such a talented player in the BSL. However, this suspension highlights our commitment to accountability and maintaining a league environment built on respect, sportsmanship, and excellence both on and off the court,” wrote Carlnel Wiley, BSL Director of Discipline.

Jones is suspended indefinitely, meaning he is ineligible to play for London or any other BSL franchise. Wiley has discussed the suspension directly with Jones, outlining a series of personal and professional bars he needs to meet to be reinstated.

No deadline was set for those bars to be reached.

The suspension comes one week after Jones got into an altercation following a 112-107 Lightning win in Newfoundland on Jan. 3. Moments before that, he picked up a technical foul in the game – his fifth of the season which led to an automatic one-game suspension for the following game (Jan. 4, also in Newfoundland).

That event comes only months after an incident in Jones’ home state of Tennessee earlier this summer when a heated exchange during a basketball game Aug. 15 at the Memphis Sports & Event Center escalated into an alleged assault, according to a formal complaint filed in Shelby County.

The league did not connect the suspension to either the Newfoundland or Tennessee incidents, referring only to a series of on- and off-court behaviours that added up to what they deemed a necessary suspension for Jones.

“While disciplinary actions are never easy, we believe this decision is essential to uphold the standards of conduct expected from everyone associated with the BSL. Let this serve as a clear reminder that behaviour inconsistent with these values will not be tolerated,” Wiley said.

(Photo: Barry Field Photography).

For the Lightning, the news comes as a shock, if not a surprise given the talented-but-volatile player’s history. Jones has a string of attitude issues and emotional outbursts going back long before his time with the BSL and the Lightning, including high-profile incidents at the University of Louisville.

Nevertheless, the news had an impact in the Forest City.

“It’s disappointing to hear, for sure. At the end of the day, we respect the league’s decision; we’re not going to fight it. Chris was a big part of the team, but we don’t condone his actions,” Lightning GM Mark Frijia said.

London’s head coach, Jerry Williams, echoed Frijia’s sentiments.

“Anytime you lose a player of Chris’ calibre, it’s devasting. This is a shocker,” Lightning head coach Jerry Williams said. “Chris was my quarterback. That’s the best way I can put it. When you lose your starting quarterback, it is hard.

“The team has to adjust. One thing about this team that I’ve learned is that they know how to adjust. They have a next-man up mentality. We had practice today and they were in there working. Everybody is upset about the situation, but everybody understands we have got to keep going. The show doesn’t stop.”

(Photo: Barry Field Photography).

Jones’ suspension is just the latest in a long series of events London has tolerated since trading for his rights on Feb. 10, 2021.

In the waning days of the 2022 regular season, Jones took issue with a call by complaining and banging the backboard support in the third quarter of London’s 118-110 loss to the Sudbury Five on April 14. Those actions drew a technical foul, but it didn’t settle down Jones who continued to rage. League officials say he started using profanity, threw a water bottle at and spit at a referee.

The following day, the NLBC suspended Jones for the reminder of the regular season. Despite initially saying their point guard was dismissed from the team, the Lighting brought back Jones for the playoffs.

In 2023, the Lightning announced the re-signing of Jones on Jan. 4, with Frijia explaining at the time that the point guard “had some hiccups last season but Chris is a winner and the type of competitor that holds his teammates accountable for the effort they put in.”

Jones didn’t make it past the home opener, though – an 86-83 loss to The Five in London on Jan. 19. In a post-game scrap, Jones – who had already been ejected from the game over another incident in front of the visitors’ bench – grabbed Sudbury coach Logan Stutz near the Budweiser Gardens dressing room.

Four days later, the NBLC Commissioner’s Office fined and suspended Jones for the season.

In 2024, Jones signed with Windsor, before London traded guard Shadell Millinghaus to the Express in exchange for their prodigal point guard in February.

On Oct. 8, the Lightning announced Jones had been re-signed for the 2024-25 season.

These types of moves also have personal costs, on top of basketball ones, Frijia said.

“We’ve always supported him as a person. I’ve known Christopher going on seven years now. We’re close. We’ve been through a lot together. I’ve worked with him trying to better himself and get away from the rough upbringing he’s had. It’s disappointing, for sure, because I would’ve loved to have kept him around and try to win another championship with him. But at the end of the day, we have to hold our players to a certain standard.”

Frijia continued, “We will move forward with the guys in the locker room. We will do what we have to do.” 

Jones has won two titles with the Lightning, ending the 2022 NBLC season and 2024 BSL season with a championship trophy in hand. He ostensibly ends his season averaging 19.8 points, 7.4 rebounds, 6.9 assists, and 3.6 steals per game.