Jones, UM team up to take youth shark tagging

MIAMI, Fla. – James Jones has spent his professional basketball career with five different franchises, but the UM grad has always been a member of the South Florida community. It began with Jones’ high school career at American, four years at the University of Miami and most recently winning two NBA Championships with the Miami Heat.

Now a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Jones’ imprint on South Florida is stronger than it has ever been. Through a partnership between his Legacy Foundation and the University of Miami’s shark research program, 12 South Florida children were selected to tag sharks.

Jones, as an athlete and prominent figure in Miami, recognized the opportunity to provide the youth of South Florida with the unique chance to experience an activity they would only see on television.

“A lot of them thought this would be a day of something similar to walking or going to the zoo or going to the Seaquarium,” Jones said to WSVN. “But, they are actually out here baiting lines, taking blood and tagging sharks. It’s something that you see on Discovery Channel, but rarely get a chance to do it in person.”

Dr. Neil Hammerschlag, Director of the UM Shark Program, was excited to have Jones and his foundation partner with the program.

“It’s really cool to have James Jones on the boat, and his foundation is exactly the type of group that we want to partner with,” Dr. Hammerschlag explained to WSVN. “I think there’s a lot of foresight to bring kids and expose them to things that they would never otherwise have growing up.”

Tagging sharks is not included the prototypical offseason for an NBA player, but Jones is adamant about learning and participating in new experiences. Jones has adopted the shark tagging as a method to help educate and create a long lasting memory for the children.

“I’ve always taken pride in myself trying to find new experiences and doing something that no one else can do,” he said. “These kids get a chance that I don’t think any other athlete will give them the opportunity.”