Professional basketball player Damian Jones may be known for his success on the court, but his passion for STEM education runs just as deep. A proud Baton Rouge native and graduate of Scotlandville Magnet High School, Jones’ journey shows how academic curiosity and athletic dedication can work hand in hand.
From a young age, Jones excelled in math and science. “I was strong in math and science, especially in middle school,” he said. “At Scotlandville, the engineering program gave me the foundation for a career in engineering.” A high school internship at the ExxonMobil plant in Baton Rouge sealed his interest in the field. “I shadowed the plant engineer and engineering manager and thought, ‘I should make my degree around what he’s doing.’”
Jones went on to study Engineering Science at Vanderbilt University, with a focus in Corporate Strategy and a minor in Engineering Management, a major he later returned to complete in 2021 while playing in the NBA.
Mentors like Ms. Andrews, who introduced him to digital logic and soldering, and Mr. Hill, a NASA engineer and basketball coach, showed him that it’s possible to bridge both worlds. “Having someone who connected STEM and basketball really showed me what was possible,” Jones said.
He sees clear parallels between the two disciplines: “STEM taught me to approach complex problems systematically and think several steps ahead. You need coordination, chemistry, and collaboration, both in engineering projects and on the basketball court.”
Now, Jones is committed to giving back. Through his Dameology+ initiative, he hopes to expand access to STEM opportunities in Baton Rouge. “I want to create programs and provide resources to young people interested in STEM to open doors for the next generation of changemakers,” he said.
His message to students? “Keep working on your passion, the more you put in, whether it’s basketball or academics, the more you get out.”
The Capital Area STEM Network thanks Damian Jones for his support in funding a STEM Escape Room at Scotlandville Magnet High School, launching this spring. His generosity will inspire and engage students in hands-on problem-solving, continuing his legacy of empowering the next generation through STEM.
