NEW HAVEN, Conn. - James Jones, the Joel E. Smilow '54 Head Coach of Men's Basketball, has been named to the 2025-26 Advancement of Blacks in Sports (ABIS) Watchlist. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Jones has been recognized as a finalist for this honor.
 
The ABIS Watchlist highlights the top black head and assistant coaches in collegiate and professional sports across multiple disciplines. Those selected are recognized by their peers as among the best in the business. Nominees are considered the most deserving, qualified, and prepared black coaches in college and professional sports to advance their careers to the next level.
 
Jones, Yale's all-time winningest coach, has compiled 441 career victories, including 236 in the Ivy League—second-most in league history. This season, he has led the Bulldogs to a 23–5 overall record and an 11–3 Ivy League mark, securing their second straight league title and the eighth under his leadership. Under Jones, Yale has achieved at least 10 Ivy League wins in 11 seasons and has finished fourth or higher in the conference for an impressive 25 consecutive years. The Bulldogs' accomplishments also include four Ivy League tournament championships, five NCAA Tournament appearances, and 10 total postseason berths.