Drayton Jones, who was named to both the 2024-25 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) first team and all-defensive team, has signed an athletic aid agreement to join the Butler Basketball program beginning with the 2025-26 season.
 
Jones, a 6-11 center from Houston, Texas, played the first two seasons of his college career at South Carolina State.
 
"Drayton is a great addition to our program; he's a high-character young man who is excited about the opportunities Butler has to offer," said Butler coach Thad Matta. "Drayton is able to utilize his athleticism to protect the rim at a high level defensively and finish plays in the paint emphatically offensively. His best basketball is ahead of him and we're glad that basketball will be played at Butler."
 
During his sophomore season in 2024-25, Jones averaged 1.7 blocks per game to lead the MEAC and rank 41^st nationally. He also led South Carolina State with averages of 13.0 points (12^th in the MEAC) and 5.5 rebounds (tenth in the MEAC) per game. Jones got to the free throw line at a high rate as his 227 free throw attempts were 19^th nationally. Jones helped South Carolina State to 20 wins and an appearance in the MEAC Tournament Championship game.
 
Jones shot 56 percent from the field and registered double figures 23 of the team's 33 games during the 2024-25 season. That included four 20-point performances with a 34-point effort (along with six blocks) in the Dec. 9 win over Charleston Southern.
 
Jones is the fourth transfer addition who has been announced for the Bulldogs' 2025-26 roster, joining Horizon League leading scorer Jalen Jackson from Purdue Fort Wayne, Yame Butler of Drexel and Michael Ajayi of Gonzaga.
 
Additional updates on both Butler's 2025-26 roster and the team's non-conference schedule will be announced soon.
 
Season tickets for the upcoming 2025-26 basketball season are on sale now. Fans can email tickets@butler.edu or call the ticket office at 317-940-3647 for more information.