Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 25, 2009
| Subscribe to Newser's RSS feeds RSS | Follow Newser on Twitter Twitter


0

Jim Jones' Grandson is Basketball Star

High school forward redeeming the Jonestown leader's family name on court

Share

(Newser) – 29 years ago, traveling to an away basketball game as part of the Jonestown team spared Jim Jones Jr. from his adopted father's mass suicide ritual. Now his son Rob is using the sport to turn the family name around, as a star forward for SF's Riordan High, who ESPN calls "the best high school basketball player in the Bay Area."

Basketball was a release and a kind of defiance against the cult leader in stifling Jonestown, but survivor guilt at being absent for the massacre following Rep. Leo Ryans disastrous visit led to Jim Jr. putting the sport on the shelf--until his son showed an interest. Through coaching Rob, Jim's love returned, and now basketball is helping the Jones family  again.

Basketball.
Basketball.   (IndexOpen)
Basketball goes up.
Basketball goes up.   (IndexOpen)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
OFF THE GRID
11.24.09
Murdoch and Microsoft: The Mice Are Trying to Roar
11.23.09
Books Are Bad for You
0 comments
VIEWING:
 
LEAVE A
COMMENT Comment Policy
Facebook ConnectPost this comment to Facebook?

After connecting you will have the option to post your comment on your Facebook profile.

 

Related Newser Stories

910 Stories

Golf well? No, he can't

What Happened to Our
Basketballer-in-Chief?

Obama has traded basketball for golf

Nov 24, 09 11:07 AM CST
(Newser) - The old Obama played hoops—and he did it quite well. So why do we keep seeing him on golf courses? Since he took office, the one-time "Baller-in-Chief" has played basketball about seven times, compared to 25 rounds of golf. The White House has remained mum on what's behind... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Barack Obama • sports • basketball • golf • president

READ: NO LESBIANS HERE

 FSU Glams Up 
 Hoops Stars, 
 Sparks Uproar 

Marketing Florida State players smacks of homophobia

Nov 24, 09 4:30 AM CST
(Newser) - Female basketball stars' three-pointers, hook shots, muscles, and agility don't score with Florida State University officials. They've also got to look good in the slinky gowns they had to don for the team's website. Now women are crying foul. Each member of the team, some provocatively clutching basketballs, wears a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
Florida • gender • basketball • lesbians • college sports • gender bias • college hoops • US athletes • battle of the sexes • Florida State University

 Ex-NBA Star Cops Plea 
 in 2002 Shooting 

Jayson Williams averts retrial, expected to serve 18 months

Nov 19, 09 12:09 PM CST
(Newser) - Former New Jersey Net Jayson Williams has agreed to a plea bargain in the 2002 shooting death of a limo driver and the subsequent attempt to cover up his involvement. Under the deal, he will plead guilty tomorrow to aggravated assault, receive a sentence of 3 years, and serve a... More »

MORE ABOUT:
NBA • basketball • New Jersey Nets • manslaughter • plea bargain • shooting • criminal charges • Jayson Williams • cover-up • Jayson Williams plea bargain

910 Stories


Interview with Rob Jones
San Diego Union-Tribune


Sports  •  US 
TwitterFollow @NewserSports on Twitter

 
basketball • Jim Jones • Jonestown massacre • high school basketball

from our news partners