Florida State men’s basketball program snagged its second commitment of the week as St. Bonaventure transfer Lajae Jones officially announced his commitment to the Seminoles. The 6-foot-7 wing from Jacksonville, Florida, is returning to his home state, bringing with him a versatile skill set and a determination to help elevate the program under new head coach Luke Loucks.
Jones, a product of Fletcher High School, decided after a single visit to Tallahassee to cancel planned trips to other schools. “Florida State was my first visit, and it’s my last visit,” Jones said shortly after committing. “I decided I wanted to come to Florida State.” A high upside talent, Jones averaged 10.8 points, 5.8 rebounds, and 1.5 steals per game during his lone season at St. Bonaventure in 2024-25, shooting an impressive 45.6% from the field and 38.9% from three-point range.
His ability to score efficiently, defend tenaciously, and stretch the floor makes him a prototypical “3-and-D” wing—a valuable asset in today’s game. Before St. Bonaventure, Jones began his career at Barton Community College, where he averaged 15.4 points and 9.2 rebounds en route to an NJCAA Division I national championship and Second Team All-NJCAA honors.
What drew Jones to Florida State was the Seminoles’ new fast-paced, NBA-style system, which aligns perfectly with his aspirations. “NBA-based system, and they want to play fast,” Jones explained. “That’s basically it. Just play fast and play in the NBA system because that’s the level I want to get to.” He pointed to successful college programs like Alabama, which have thrived with a similar approach, as evidence of its potential at FSU. Jones also highlighted his relationships with the coaching staff as a deciding factor. Head coach Luke Loucks, a Florida native and FSU alum with NBA experience, stood out in recruitment.
“I think he’s really the only head coach I’ve talked to,” Jones noted, emphasizing Loucks’ hands-on approach. Additionally, assistant coach Michael Fly played a pivotal role, having built a rapport with Jones that made Tallahassee feel like home. “His plan is to make the [NCAA] Tournament as a first-year head coach. That stood out to me,” Jones said of Loucks’s ambitious vision.
For Jones, this commitment is more than a career move—it’s a homecoming. A Neptune Beach native, he starred at Fletcher High, averaging 20.7 points and 7.4 rebounds as a senior. “Coming home. #GoNoles,” Jones posted on social media, accompanied by a photo from his official visit.
Jones becomes the second transfer portal commitment for Loucks’s 2025 class, joining Drexel guard Kobe Magee, who pledged to FSU just days earlier. Together, they signal an early success for Loucks, who took the reins in March 2025 with a promise to leverage his NBA background to attract impact players. With Jones’s length, athleticism, and shooting touch, the Seminoles are adding a high-upside talent who could thrive in their up-tempo system.
As Florida State looks to rebuild following a mass departure after the regime change in Tallahassee, the arrival of Jones and MaGee provides a spark of optimism. Thanks for reading, and Go Noles!
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