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<\/p>\nAfter 36 years at ESPN, Mark Jones is entering a new chapter of his broadcasting career \u2014 one he hopes will remain rooted deeply in Sacramento.<\/p>\n
Jones, the longtime NBA and college football play\u2011by\u2011play voice, joined Sactown Sports\u2019 The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross to reflect on his departure from ESPN following 36 years and his future with NBC Sports California as the voice of the Sacramento Kings.<\/p>\n
While the conversation revisited decades of memories from network television, Jones made it clear where his heart currently lies.<\/p>\n
\u201cI love, absolutely love, and have loved, and continue to love, being in Sacramento for the last six years, and being the voice of the Kings,\u201d Jones said. \u201cI absolutely love Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n
Those feelings developed after Jones joined the Kings\u2019 broadcast team in 2020, a move that allowed him to experience life beyond ESPN for the first time in most of his adult career.<\/p>\n
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(NBC Sports)<\/p>\n
Mark Jones on his broadcasting future<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s been great for me growth-wise, professionally as a play-by-play guy, but even more so personally,\u201d Mark Jones said. \u201cSacramento [allowed me] to feel that there is life beyond ESPN.\u201d<\/p>\n
Jones praised the Kings organization and NBC Sports California for making him feel valued from day one.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey have been so great to me in giving me the feeling that I am seen and heard,\u201d he said. \u201cThat partnership has been beyond my wildest dreams.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the professional aspect, Mark Jones highlighted his connection to the city of Sacramento, Kings fans, and the culture that surrounds the franchise.<\/p>\n
\u201cI absolutely love Sacramento, and I have enjoyed myself, not just professionally,\u201d Jones said. \u201cWalking up and down L Street and J Street, interacting with the fans \u2014 I absolutely love it.\u201d<\/p>\n
As for what comes next, Mark Jones left little ambiguity about what he hopes the future holds.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is my hope that we will work something out, and I\u2019ll be back on the microphone for a while to come in Sacramento,\u201d he said. \u201cBecause I\u2019ve enjoyed my time.\u201d<\/p>\n
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(Getty Images)<\/p>\n
Mark Jones added that working locally with the Kings has reshaped how he sees the league.<\/p>\n
\u201cI never knew that being a local play-by-play guy would be as much fun as it is,\u201d Jones said. \u201cIt\u2019s given me a whole different prism to see the NBA.\u201d<\/p>\n
When asked where he feels he belongs at this stage, Jones\u2019 answer was simple and heartfelt.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel like I\u2019m supposed to be where I\u2019m supposed to be right now,\u201d he said. \u201cAnd that\u2019s in Sacramento.\u201d<\/p>\n
Check out the full conversation at the top of the page or by heading over to the\u00a0Sactown Sports YouTube channel.<\/a><\/p>\n Listen to\u00a0The Carmichael Dave Show with Jason Ross\u00a0from 6 \u2013 10 a.m. PDT, Monday through Friday, on\u00a0Sactown Sports 1140.<\/a><\/p>\n When is the next Sacramento Kings offseason date of interest?<\/p>\n The Sacramento Kings will now look ahead to the highly anticipated NBA Draft Lottery, which is set for Sunday, May 10th.<\/p>\n Sacramento hasn\u2019t secured the top pick in the NBA Draft since 1989, when it selected center Pervis Ellison with the first overall selection.<\/p>\n Be sure to stay locked in to Sactown Sports 1140 all offseason for NBA Draft Lottery coverage, NBA Draft previews and analysis, NBA Summer League content, and MUCH more!<\/p>\n More Sacramento Kings content from Sactown Sports<\/p>\n Upcoming Sacramento Kings & NBA Offseason Schedule<\/p>\n Tuesday, April 14th \u2013 NBA Play-In Tournament begins Thank you for reading\u00a0SactownSports.com<\/a>. Follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Google News<\/a>, and subscribe to our\u00a0YouTube<\/a>\u00a0channel.<\/p>\n
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