A native of the Bronx, New York, Eric Jones has been around the game of basketball since the age of 5. He was taught the game from his father Sam Jones, a renowned coach of youth basketball in New York City. Developing a love for the game he would learn the discipline, dedication and focus it would take to be successful on and off the court. His first taste of elite level basketball would come with the famed New York City Gauchos where he would play alongside future NBA stars like Jamal Mashburn and Felipe Lopez. Eric captured over 100 titles in his 6 years with the team, locally, regionally, and nationally.Eric’s professional career would begin in the Eastern Basketball Alliance with The Scranton/Wilkes Barre Barons and then a two-year run with the Harlem Globetrotters. A born leader, Eric would eventually find a role with the world-famous Harlem Wizards as a player coach and director of Player Development. After 21 years of traveling the world and impacting communities he still maintains those titles to date. His work across the world has included entertaining fans in 30 different countries and every state in the Union.A passion for the game has always burned inside of Eric, and he sought to share some of his knowledge and experience of the game with the young people of New York City. This led him and his older brother Darryl Jones to form the New York Dragons AAU program. During the program’s 13 years of service they have helped over 100 student athletes earn academic scholarships.As a community leader and teacher Eric continues to give back to the youth through his many initiatives and services. His newest project is the EJ5 Skills Development and Training Program. EJ5 teaches the fundamentals of the game while building confidence, reinforcing self-discipline and sharing life lessons that will translate to success in every facet of life.