A Homecoming on the West Side
Rashunda Jones, a Washington High School alum who led the Panthers to an IHSAA 3A state championship in 2022, returned to her hometown to run a basketball camp that blended skill work with community service. The event, held on August 8 at the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, welcomed 20 campers ranging from third grade to high school seniors, many of whom already carried the names of rising local stars.
The camp, titled "SBI Legacy Homecoming: Celebrating Past, Present & Future," offered more than drills and scrimmages. From 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m., participants received school supplies and a hot meal, a nod to Jones’s belief that athletic opportunity should be paired with tangible support for families. Awani Jones, Rashunda’s mother, helped coordinate the logistics, underscoring the event’s dual focus on mentorship and uplift.
Former coach Steven Reynolds Jr., who had spent recent years leading programs at UT Arlington, traveled back to South Bend to assist with the camp’s instruction. His presence highlighted the lasting influence Jones has had on the region’s basketball culture and provided a bridge between past mentors and the next generation of players.
Jones, who finished her high school career with 1,791 points — third most in Washington Panthers history — has consistently placed personal impact above accolades. She stresses that she wants youngsters to "want to play basketball," not merely to be pushed into the sport, a philosophy that resonated throughout the camp’s atmosphere.
Ripple Effects Across the Community
The camp’s reach extended beyond the court. By partnering with local institutions such as Washington High School and the Martin Luther King Jr. Dream Center, the initiative tapped into existing networks to amplify its message of character building and community pride. Coverage by the South Bend Tribune further amplified the story, drawing attention to the West Side’s growing basketball legacy.
While the camp was rooted in South Bend, its influence stretched to Arizona, where Jones pursued higher education at Arizona State University. The connection illustrates how regional talent can both nurture local roots and expand its footprint across state lines.