May 9, 2026
The Kent State Golden Flashes are keeping the local talent in Northeast Ohio. On Friday, May 8, 2026, former four-star recruit Dorian Jones officially committed to join coach Rob Senderoff’s squad, marking a significant homecoming for one of Cleveland’s top basketball products.
Jones, a 6-foot-4 shooting guard, returns to the region after spending his freshman season redshirting with the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. Originally a standout at Richmond Heights High School, Jones was ranked as the No. 1 player in Ohio and a top-100 national prospect before choosing the Big Ten. After entering the NCAA transfer portal in April, he now brings four years of eligibility to the M.A.C. Center.
Rebuilding the Flashes
The addition of Jones is the latest move in an aggressive offseason for Kent State, which saw several starters depart, including record-setting assist leader
Cian Medley. Senderoff has utilized the portal to quickly restock a roster that remains a perennial contender in the
Mid-American Conference.
Jones joins a robust incoming transfer class that includes:
- Chansey Willis Jr.: A veteran guard from Minnesota who previously led the MAC in scoring at Western Michigan.
- Cameron Williams: A forward from Portland who scored 20 points against the Flashes just last season.
- Godslove Nwabude: A 6-foot-9 forward transferring from Eastern Michigan who averaged nearly 5.5 rebounds per game.
Local Flavor in the Backcourt
With Jones and incoming freshman
Dhani Miller—recently ranked No. 60 in the
SportsCenter NEXT 100—the Flashes have prioritized high-upside talent from the Ohio area. Jones’s length and defensive potential were highly sought after during his initial recruitment, and his arrival at Kent State signals the program’s intent to stay at the top of the conference standings.
