Texas G Andrew Jones has career-high game in return from leukemia

Andrew Jones was already a winner just by stepping onto the floor in the Texas Longhorns’ season-opening game on Tuesday against Northern Colorado. But then he showed that just being on the team is not enough; he intends to be a major contributor.

Jones, a sophomore guard from Irving, Texas, on Tuesday played significant minutes for the first time since being diagnosed with leukemia in January 2018. At first, the broadcasting team on Longhorn Network called Jones the “mascot” for the team, implying he was there to help build team spirit.

It's been 673 days since Andrew Jones' last field goal in a game.

It's good to see him back. pic.twitter.com/GTJZLJJj4l

— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) November 6, 2019

But guess what? After scoring two points in the first half, Jones exploded for 18 in the second half and finished with a career-high 20 points.

Jones was 8/13 overall and 4/5 on threes. He bested his previous high of 19 against VCU in December 2017.

Jones appeared in two games last season for Texas while undergoing treatment for leukemia. He played nine minutes in one game and two in the other and did not make a field goal. This was his best game — and marked his first field goal made — in nearly two years. He finished chemotherapy in September and says he is taking things day by day for now.

Andrew Jones on posting 20 points in his first game back with significant time. pic.twitter.com/y6NOj656jE

— Longhorn Network (@LonghornNetwork) November 6, 2019