NATCHEZ — Wilkinson County sophomore basketball player Travion Jones has gotten the nod to represent Mississippi in the USA Junior Nationals tournament.

Jones, along with other players from Mississippi, will compete against other states in Columbus, Ohio, July 8-11, and from there, have the potential to be selected for the U.S. National team, which will compete in international competitions.

“He was grateful for the opportunity to represent the state and the school in the event,” Wilkinson County head coach Julius Anderson said. “As I coach I was very proud.”

Jones received an invite earlier in the year and went to Jackson last month to try out for the Mississippi team.

“It was mind-blowing because the coaches didn’t know he could take over a game the way he did,” Anderson said. “They played three games. In the first two, Travion took over in scoring, and then in the third game, he picked up on his defense. The coaches loved him.”

Jones is one of the youngest athletes competing in the event, but Anderson said it shows the kind of special talent he is.

“It shows he has the drive, motivation and maturity to be able to come from a small area and put in the work he needs to compete at the next level,” he said. “For him to be recognized like this, shows he has all the qualities of being an excellent player.”