In a significant setback for the Marquette Golden Eagles men’s basketball program, rising junior guard Sean Jones will miss the entire 2024-2025 season as he continues to rehabilitate from a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) suffered over a year ago. The 5-foot-10 playmaker from Columbus, Ohio has not seen game action since leaving a 69-62 loss to Butler with the knee injury on January 10th, 2024.
Head coach Shaka Smart revealed in late November that while Jones had progressed to participating in full 5-on-5 practice drills, the decision was ultimately made for him to utilize a redshirt year this season. This will allow the feisty floor general ample time to regain his explosiveness and cutting ability without any pressure to return to the rigors of Big East conference play before his body is ready.
Promising Young Talent Derailed by Injury
Prior to the devastating injury, Jones had been establishing himself as a key rotational piece and spark plug off the bench for Marquette. He appeared in 33 games as a true freshman in 2022-2023, averaging 3.6 points, 1.1 assists, and 12.2 minutes per contest while earning praise for his relentless on-ball defense and ability to push the pace in transition.
As a sophomore in 2023-2024, Jones saw an expanded role before being sidelined, starting 4 of the 16 games he appeared in while upping his averages to 5.8 points, 2.0 assists, 1.5 rebounds and 16.3 minutes per outing. His injury occurred just as he was rounding into form as a valuable change-of-pace option behind starting point guard Tyler Kolek.
Sean was really starting to come into his own and show what he’s capable of before the injury. His energy, toughness and ability to get downhill is something we’ve sorely missed. As hard as it is to lose him for another year, we have to prioritize his long-term health.
– Shaka Smart, Marquette Head Coach
Long Road to Recovery
The arduous rehabilitation process following ACL reconstructive surgery typically sidelines athletes for 6-12 months in a best case scenario. By redshirting the 2024-2025 campaign, Jones will have had a full 20 months to strengthen the surgically repaired knee by the time the 2025-2026 season tips off.
While ACL recovery timelines have been shortened in recent years due to advancements in surgical techniques and aggressive rehab protocols, there is still no substitute for patience when it comes to allowing the ligament graft to fully heal and for the athlete to regain complete trust in the previously injured knee. Marquette’s cautious approach should enable Jones to eventually return to his pre-injury form.
Future Eligibility Outlook
By utilizing his available redshirt, Jones will still have two full seasons of eligibility remaining when he suits up again for Marquette. This effectively gives him a chance at a “do-over” of his true junior season in 2025-26 before playing out his final year of eligibility in 2026-2027 as a fifth-year senior.
- 2022-2023: Freshman season – 33 GP
- 2023-2024: Sophomore season – 16 GP (Torn ACL)
- 2024-2025: Academic Junior – Redshirt season
- 2025-2026: Redshirt Junior season
- 2026-2027: Redshirt Senior season
Assuming Jones makes a full recovery, he should have ample opportunity to leave his mark on the Marquette program and Big East Conference. If the injury instills a newfound sense of urgency and gratitude, the Golden Eagles could see Jones return as an even more motivated and mature leader and contributor over his final two years of eligibility.
Moving Forward
In the immediate future, 8th-ranked Marquette will have to continue its surprising 2024-2025 campaign without the services of Jones. The Golden Eagles currently sit at 13-2 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Big East play entering a Tuesday night home tilt against Georgetown.
The backcourt trio of Tyler Kolek, Kam Jones and Stevie Mitchell will be relied upon heavily to shoulder the load with Sean Jones out of the lineup. Kolek in particular has blossomed into one of the nation’s top point guards, averaging 13.1 points and a Big East leading 7.7 assists through the season’s first 15 games.
We can’t replace what Sean brings to the table, but it’s a next man up mentality for us. I’m really proud of how everyone has stepped up in expanded roles so far. We’re playing connected on both ends and that’s a testament to our depth and belief in each other.
– Tyler Kolek, Marquette Point Guard
If Marquette can maintain its current level of play without Sean Jones, a special season could be brewing in Milwaukee. But for an ascending young guard with NBA aspirations, the road to recovery and a return to the court remains a long one filled with uncertainty. Only time will tell if Jones can regain his pre-injury form and help lead the Golden Eagles to new heights upon his return.
