Former Mountaineers Kevin Jones, Nathan Adrian to Play in TBT for Best Virginia

Best Virginia announced on a press release that former Mountaineers Kevin Jones and Nathan Adrain will participate in the 2023 edition of the TBT.

Best Virginia, a WVU alumni team, will play in the TBT this summer, hosting a regional in Wheeling from July 25-30. New this year, some regionals will host the quarterfinal round, so there’s potentially four rounds for Best Virginia in Wheeling.

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Kevin Jones & Nate Adrian are locked in for a TBT 2023 run with Best Virginia pic.twitter.com/2tPEnxR8Ro

— TBT (@thetournament) April 26, 2023

Jones is a returning player for Best Virginia, as the former forward for WVU played for Best Virginia in the TBT in 2019, 2021 and 2022

Jones, a Mount Vernon, NY. native played at WVU from 2008-11, developing himself into a Consensus All-American by his senior year. Jones was a key contributor to leading the Mountaineers to four-straight NCAA Tournament appearances, most notably in 2010, when West Virginia made the Final Four for the first time since 1959.

The 6-foot-8 forward graduated from WVU as one of only four players in program history to record 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds, with the other three being Jerry West, Lloyd Sharrar and Warren Baker. Jones finished his colligate career with 1,822 points and 1,048 rebounds.

Jones went undrafted in 2012 but signed a contract with the Cleveland Cavaliers. Following some time in the D-League, Jones was called up in Dec. 2012 to make his NBA debut. Jones played 30 games for the Cavaliers in the 2012-13 NBA season. Over the next couple of seasons, Jones appeared in the NBA Summer League with a few teams but ended up going international. Jones—for the previous seven years, has played around the world in the Philippines, France, Serbia, Russia, Spain and Japan.

Jones has played in Japan since 2018.

Adrian returns for Best Virginia for the first time since 2021, as the former forward for WVU joins the team once again. Adrian missed the 2022 edition of the TBT Tournament due to injury.

During his time at West Virginia from 2013-17, Adrian was able to help lead the Mountaineers to 2-Sweet 16 appearances in 2015 and 2017. The 6-foot-9 forward earned recognition for the All-Big 12 team in 2017, as well on the Big 12 All-Defensive team. Adrian took a leap in numbers in his senior season, as he played and started in 37 games for head coach Bob Huggins and the Mountaineers. Adrian was third on the team in scoring, averaging 9.6 points.

Adrian finished his time at West Virginia fifth in career games played with 140, right behind Da’Sean Butler (146), Joe Mazzulla (145), Jevon Carter (144) and Darris Nichols (141).

Adrian attended Morgantown High School before committing and staying home to play for WVU.

Since graduating from West Virginia, Adrian has played overseas in France, Ukraine and Italy. Adrian averaged 15.6 points and 6.6 rebounds during his first season for Unieuro Forli.