Dr. Kurt Jones
Dr. Kurt Jones is an American sports psychologist, former professional basketball player, and the founder and CEO of Play 21 Wellness Academy. He is recognized for his groundbreaking work in athlete mental performance, most notably by former WBC heavyweight boxing champion Deontay Wilder, who publicly credited Jones in 2025 as the psychologist who helped him regain his mental strength and return to the ring. Jones is also the creator of The Shelving Method™ and the innovator behind the globally branded basketball game Zone XXI.
Early life and education
Jones was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, where his life was profoundly shaped by his close friendship with Ben Wilson (basketball), the nation’s top-ranked high school basketball player in 1984, who was tragically killed in a shooting at age 17. The two were best friends, and Wilson’s death had a lasting impact on Jones’s life and future work in athlete wellness and trauma recovery. Wilson’s mother, Mary Wilson, later authored the memoir Benji, With Love, chronicling her son’s life and legacy.
Jones went on to play collegiate basketball and earned a Ph.D. in psychology, specializing in sports performance and trauma-informed care.
Basketball career
Although undrafted by the NBA, Jones signed contracts with the Milwaukee Bucks and Phoenix Suns, later building a successful international career in Italy, Morocco, and the Dominican Republic. His aggressive and intelligent style of play earned him respect overseas and laid the foundation for his eventual work as a performance psychologist.
Career in sports psychology
Following his athletic career, Jones founded Play 21 Wellness Academy in Duluth, Georgia, which provides sports psychology, wellness training, and mental health services to professional athletes, collegiate players, and underserved communities.
In 2025, during a live appearance on The Ariel Helwani Show, heavyweight boxer Deontay Wilder publicly named Dr. Kurt Jones as the sports psychologist responsible for helping him mentally prepare for his comeback. Wilder stated:
- "Dr. Kurt Jones helped me get my mind back together. He filled the space of a father and a brother. That’s why I’m here today."
Other athletes Jones has worked with include NFL linebacker Nakobe Dean, running back Ashton Jeanty (drafted by the Las Vegas Raiders in 2025), and NBA center Dewayne Dedmon.
Books and media
Dr. Jones is the author of:
- Chitown Blueprints – A memoir about overcoming trauma, the legacy of Ben Wilson, and his rise in basketball and psychology.
- The Shelving Method – A performance psychology manual that teaches athletes how to compartmentalize mental distractions and focus under pressure.
Jones also appeared in the ESPN 30 for 30 documentary Benji and has been featured on multiple podcasts and wellness platforms.
Zone XXI and innovation
In 2024, Jones reimagined and trademarked the classic basketball game of 21 as Zone XXI, introducing enhanced scoring zones, new gameplay rules, and a digital video game platform. The game includes tournament brackets, Chicago house and reggae soundtracks, and animated characters based on real-life figures, such as Big Kurt, Magic Marcha, Amber J, and Benji — inspired by his late friend Ben Wilson.
A PC/Mac version of the game is in development, with arcade-style play, custom voiceovers, and branded prize tournaments.
Philanthropy and nonprofit work
In 2025, Jones was granted 501(c)(3) nonprofit status for the Play 21 Wellness Academy Foundation Inc. The foundation offers free and subsidized mental health care, workshops, and sports-based therapy programs for teachers, parents, and at-risk youth. It emphasizes trauma healing through structured wellness and basketball-based engagement.
See also
- Deontay Wilder
- Ben Wilson (basketball)
- Sports psychology
- Chitown Blueprints
- ESPN 30 for 30
- Play 21 Wellness Academy LLC
References
- Interview with Deontay Wilder on The Ariel Helwani Show (2025)
- Chitown Blueprints by Dr. Kurt Jones (ISBN TBD)
- To Benji With Love by Mary Wilson (ISBN TBD)
- Official site: Play 21 Wellness Academy
- LinkedIn: Dr. Kurt Jones on LinkedIn
- ESPN documentary Benji – 30 for 30
References
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