Top things to know
- Bahamian post player Kai Jones logged a season-high 25.5 minutes in Anadolu Efes SK's 89-80 Basketbol Süper Ligi victory over Beşiktaş Istanbul.
- In the win over Beşiktaş, Jones contributed four points, a season-high seven rebounds, and four blocked shots while shooting 2-for-4 from the field.
- Jones posted four points, seven rebounds, two blocks, two assists, and a steal in a subsequent 93-77 win over Biotekno Körfez Basket.
- The 25-year-old center is averaging 6.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game in a reserve role for the Turkish club this season.
- Jones averaged double-digit scoring for Team Bahamas over the summer, helping lead the nation to a 3-1 record in the FIBA World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers.
Bahamian professional basketball player Kai Jones is making significant contributions for Turkish powerhouse Anadolu Efes SK in Istanbul, logging substantial minutes and delivering strong defensive efforts off the bench in the Basketbol Süper Ligi (BSL). The 25-year-old, 6-foot-11 post player recently logged a season-high 25 and a half minutes during an 89-80 victory against Beşiktaş Istanbul at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center in Istanbul, Turkey. In that contest, Jones came off the bench to score four points while grabbing a season-high seven rebounds and blocking four shots. He shot 2-for-4 from the field as Anadolu Efes SK never trailed, establishing leads by as much as 21 points overall and up to 19 points in the fourth quarter without being threatened down the stretch.Jones followed up that performance with another productive outing in his team's next contest at the Turkcell Basketball Development Center, helping Anadolu Efes SK secure a 93-77 victory over Biotekno Körfez Basket. In that game, the Bahamian big man again recorded four points and seven rebounds, while adding two blocked shots, two assists, and one steal. Through his appearances this season, Jones has served in a reserve capacity in each game, coming off the bench to provide defensive presence and interior rebound work for the Istanbul-based squad. Overall this season, he is averaging 6.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, and two blocks per game. Although he is yet to score in double digits in a single contest during the current campaign, his active play on the glass and protection of the rim continue to strengthen the club's frontcourt rotation.Now in his second consecutive year playing in Europe, Jones signed with Anadolu Efes SK prior to the 2025-2026 season and has continued adjusting to overseas professional competition. Prior to the 2026-2027 season, he helped lead Anadolu Efes SK to the VTB United League Supercup title during a men's professional basketball supercup competition held at the VTB Arena in Moscow, Russia. With that championship victory, Anadolu Efes SK became the first foreign basketball club to win the VTB United League Supercup title in the competition's history.Jones's steady play in Turkey comes on the heels of an impactful summer performance representing his home nation on the international stage. Playing for Team Bahamas during the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) World Cup 2027 Americas Qualifiers, Jones averaged double-digit scoring and logged significant minutes in the frontcourt when the country needed him most. His contributions helped The Bahamas achieve a 3-1 win-loss record during the summer qualifying window, putting the national team in position to qualify for a global event in a team sport for the first time in history.The Bahamas national team is currently fourth in Group F in the second round of the qualifiers. Under the qualification format for the international tournament, the top three nations from each of the two groups in the second round, along with the best fourth-place team across both groups, will qualify for the FIBA World Cup in 2027. Jones's development into an effective interior player during overseas competition continues to play an important role as The Bahamas seeks to secure its historical berth on the world stage.