Samajae Haynes-Jones has been away for a while. He forgot the Hutchinson fans in the Sports Arena could crank up the volume.
“I guess I got called on the intercom and I didn’t even hear it,” said Haynes-Jones, who watched on from the press table as his former Blue Dragons knocked off Allen County Saturday. “Just seeing all of them clap for me, it’s just a blessing to come back here and see it.”
Haynes-Jones' former teammates J.J. Rhymes and Devonte Bandoo put on a show in Haynes-Jones’ return, combing for 56 points in the beatdown handed to Allen County. Sam Butterfield Court was once the stage for Haynes-Jones, who led Hutchinson Community College to its third NJCAA Championship in program history a season ago.
The 6-foot guard from Wichita was a Second-team All-American last season, averaging 16.1 points per game while shooting 42 percent from three. He was also First-team All-Conference and All-region. Despite Haynes-Jones size, he led the NJCAA in total minutes played (1,195) and ranked ninth nationally in free throw percentage (.894).
He finished his career ranked ninth on the school’s all-time scoring list (1,163 points), third in three-pointers (124) and second in free throw percentage (.861).
Haynes-Jones is now the backup point guard for No. 9 Wichita State, fresh off a 95-57 win over South Florida on Sunday, and against former teammate Nikola Scekic. Haynes-Jones scored eight points off the bench and had two assists. Scekic had seven points.
Haynes-Jones is averaging 14.2 minutes per game, but he has enjoyed two outbursts off the bench with 31 points in 26 minutes against Savannah State and 27 points in 31 minutes against Arkansas State.
“That’s just me taking advantage of the minutes I get,” Haynes-Jones said. “You just have to wait for your time, and hopefully, you can go out there and provide. I try to do that every night. I try to get my team involved. If I’m hot, they know I’m hot. I’ll just get my shot off and play defense like coach (Greg Marshall) wants me to.
“It’s a blessing,” he added. “A lot of people don’t get this opportunity, especially at Wichita State. I know it’s my hometown, but just playing for coach Marshall and the staff and being around great teammates, you just have to enjoy the process and that’s what I do every night.”
Haynes-Jones spent his first two seasons of college ball playing for head coach Steve Eck. The pair went 67-8 over two seasons together with back-to-back national title game appearances. Eck and Haynes-Jones remain in contact regularly.
“We talk a lot,” Haynes-Jones. “We text all the time. I texted him before I came here (Saturday). Just seeing him puts a smile on my face. I love that guy.”