Lance Jones Hints at Return to Mackey Arena During 2024-25 Purdue Basketball Season
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Former Purdue guard Lance Jones became a fan favorite during his lone season in West Lafayette. Even though he's moved on and playing professional basketball in Spain, the former Boilermaker is eyeing a return to Mackey Arena during the 2024-25 season.
Earlier this month, Purdue announced that it had sold out every home game for the 2024-25 season. By the season's end, the sellout streak will reach 89 games. Jones wants to be part of one of those as a fan.
In a reply to one of Purdue's messages on social media, Jones said, "might make an appearance Nov. 23." The Boilermakers host Marshall that night.
Might make an appearance Nov 23rd 👀
— Lance Jones (@LanceBuckets) October 9, 2024
Jones, who spent four seasons at Southern Illinois before using his final year of eligibility at Purdue, played a key role in the Boilermakers' 34-5 season. He helped lead Purdue to a second straight Big Ten regular season title and the program's first Final Four trip since 1980.
Jones averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in his lone season with the Boilermakers. But he quickly became a fan favorite because of the "Lance Dance," in which he joined in with the fans' halftime dance before the second half began.
🕺 @LanceBuckets has the moves.
— Purdue Men's Basketball (@BoilerBall) January 6, 2024
He’s fitting right in. pic.twitter.com/UD6g0D80EZ
We'll see whether or not Jones is able to make his way back to Mackey Arena for a game this season. If he does, he'll undoubtedly receive a loud applause and will probably make an appearance on Purdue's jumbotron during halftime.
Purdue opens the 2024-25 regular season on Monday, Nov. 4 against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
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Dustin Schutte is the publisher of Purdue Boilermakers on SI and has spent more than a decade working in sports journalism. His career began in 2013, when he covered Big Ten football. He remained in that role for eight years before working at On SI to cover the Boilermakers. Dustin graduated from Manchester University in Indiana in 2010, where he played for the men's tennis team.
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