David “DJ” Jones & Mailee Jones
Mailee and I were on the go, walking down the court near her residence in a sunny September afternoon, in Saigon. We decided to shoot there in the blink of an eye. On our way, Mailee told me how happy she is to be here.
“It’s not only this city or a significant destination, it’s a journey and I’m really enjoy where i am now”, Mailee explained. With bright smile, the American Vietnamese wears her heart on her sleeves.
Behind us, her father, Coach David “DJ” Jones walked slowly, like a guardian angel watching over his daughter. “Tomorow, my father and I will fly to Germany, where I play in the professional tournament”, Mailee tells me.
Mailee Jones following her father’s footsteps
Born in Germany, grew up in San Antonio, Texas, Mailee is following in her father’s footsteps. David “DJ” Jones was a former pro basketball player in Germany, where he grew up. Today, he still holds international records for his 3-point shot and points scored per game.
After 13 years playing pro basketball in Europe, he opened the gates to training professional and elite players. David “DJ” Jones founded Shooting For Success, a youth basketball organization located in Stone Oak, Texas. The former professional basketball player known around the world as Shot Doctor. He helped phenomenal player Jeremy Lin fix his shot and catapult him into the NBA.
After decades played professional basketball, David “DJ” Jones moved into coaching.
Mailee Jones has been coached by her father “when i were just a toddler”. “One day, I came home after a training course and little Mailee told me: Dad, you don’t love me. I asked why. And she said: Because you teach others basketball, not me”, Coach Jones recalled.
After that conversation, he brought his 6-year-old to the court for the very first basketball lesson. Oftentimes, Mailee was the lone girl on a court full of boys. That never dampened her love for the sport.
The first ever American Vietnamese to compete on the country’s behalf
Both Joneses share the common bond of basketball. Together, the Jones family have ventured on a journey from Europe to Texas to Vietnam. Mailee’s mother, Mrs Diane Jones, is half Vietnamese. That’s why Mailee is able to play on Vietnam’s national team.
Mailee left college early to pursue her professional career. The female baller was a standout player at Ronald Reagan High School in Texas. Later, she played a short stint in Ohio and Chicago before receiving the opportunity to play for Vietnam.
The unique journey in 2022 SEA Games “is definitely a dream comes true” for her.
Mailee Jones is the first ever American Vietnamese plays on Vietnam National Women’s Basketball Team.
In the 31st Southeast Asian Games, which was held in May, Mailee Jones was the first ever Vietnamese American to represent the Vietnam Women’s National Team. The former Youngstown State women’s basketball player has been playing with the Vietnamese Women’s National Team since 2020. Mailee wants to be “the gateway for Vietnam women’s basketball that anything is possible.”
“You can call me Mai. I inherited this name from my great grandmother. She was born and raised in Can Tho. Our family moved to the U.S, my grand mother is in U.S now”, Mailee said. Mailee pronounced “Bà cố, bà ngoại” in Vietnamese clearly. In that moment, I knew this girl is truly in love with Vietnam.
“I’m 1/4 Vietnamese. Since I was a child, my mom used to cook Vietnamese dishes for me. The motherland is always in our heart. My grandmother told me many stories about her hometown. As long as my grand mother is still alive, I want to play for Vietnamese National Team. I want to make her proud”, Maille addresses.
The first ever Father–Daughter duo in pro basketball
Mailee and her father is about to go down in history when playing for Vietnam Women’s National Team. They’re the first ever father and daughter duo in basketball on a professional level and national level in the entire world. Their unique Father – Daughter journey in 2022 SEA Games is extraordinary.
David “DJ” Jones & Mailee Jones.
“I am blessed beyond measures to have a great support system and those who have helped me throughout my career thus far”, Mailee said. Her family was solidly behind her when she decided to go back to Vietnam.
Not long after Mailee joined the team, Coach David “DJ” Jones accepted the temporary coaching job for Vietnam National team in SEA Games. He admits “it’s not an easy decision. But it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to coach my daughter on a national team, in something like the SEA Games.”
The female baller is blending well with Vietnamese culture. In her spare time, Mailee discovers Saigon by her motobike. “I love hanging out with my team mates, and we do the “một, hai, ba, dzô” thing. It’s was really fun and remarkble memories to me”, Mailee said.
In Vietnam, basketball is gaining momentum. It’s easier for Mailee to pursues her dream. After impressive performances in SEA Games, the Father – Daughter duo is training and practicing for higher goal like Olympics.
“I have taken an untraditonal route to pursue my dreams. But it was really worth it”, Mailee said at the end of our conversation.
Photographer: RABHUU Studio
Harper’s Bazaar VietNam
