SPARTANBURG, S.C. -- It has been a journey for Kanye Jones, one of highs and lows — but that's the way Jones likes it. He's quick to remind you:

"It's a process. It's life. There are ups and downs. And God doesn't make mistakes, so I'll trust the plan."

That plan has included twists and turns — both literal and figurative. A torn ACL in just the second game of the season against Piedmont derailed what was supposed to be a pivotal senior campaign for the 6'5" guard out of Orlando, Florida. Jones had started strong in the early minutes of the season under first-year head coach Marty Richter, notching 10 points and four rebounds before the injury brought everything to a halt.

"It didn't go how I planned," Jones admits, "but I'm already back on the court, starting to get some of it back."

For a player who was recruited out of high school by major programs — including Richter himself during his time at Drake — the path to USC Upstate came after collegiate stops at Boston College and Buffalo. His time at Buffalo saw flashes of what he could bring to a program, especially as a junior, averaging 8.0 points in limited minutes across nine games.

But Upstate was different.

"I wanted to be somewhere where I felt cared for as a human and a player," Jones says. "I've had a prior relationship with Coach Marty. I knew him, he knew me, and people I trusted had good things to say about him. It just felt right."

High hopes surrounded Jones' arrival. A dynamic guard with scoring ability and maturity, his presence was expected to bolster the Spartans' backcourt. Instead, the injury shifted his season — and perspective.

"I think the injury allowed me to learn," he says. "To watch from a different angle, to understand the system better. I used the time as an overall learning experience — in basketball and in life."

That perspective shift has had ripple effects beyond the court. Jones has become more focused on holistic development — nutrition, weight training, and recovery all now play a bigger role in his routine.

"I've taken a new approach to taking care of my body," he says. "I'm starting to see the bigger picture — how it all fits together."

That mindset traces back to his earliest days on the court. Raised in a basketball household, Jones remembers the moment the game grabbed hold of him.

"My dad put a ball in my hands early. He showed me the work it takes," he says. "My mom and dad made sacrifices so I could chase this. I'm extremely grateful for them."

From scoring 1,000 points at Windermere High School to now leading through adversity at USC Upstate, the game has opened doors — and taught lessons.

"It's always been basketball for me," Jones says. "It's brought me joy and relationships I know I wouldn't have without it."

As he works toward full recovery, Jones is grounded in both reality and ambition.

"I want to be healthy and show what I can do — whatever role that may be. As a team, we want to compete and win a Big South Championship," he says. "And personally, I'd love to play professionally. NBA, overseas, G League — I want to do it. But I'm not rushing anything. Be where your feet are. Keep going on the right path, day by day."

Summer workouts and plans will look different for Jones as he works to regain full strength. If there's one thing Jones has done in his career, it's always overcoming adversity. He plans "to be back and contribute in any way" for this upcoming year.

That path hasn't been easy. But for Kanye Jones, it's all part of the process — and part of the plan.