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AIPROPX ReportYahoo Sports · 1h ago
Robert Jones signs with German club PS Karlsruhe Lions
KARLSRUHE, Germany — Former Iowa State standout and fan favorite Robert Jones is headed to Germany for the next chapter of his professional career. The PS Karlsruhe LIONS announced Wednesday they have signed the 25-year-old center for the 2026-27 season.
Jones, better known to the Hilton Coliseum faithful as “Big Rob Energy,” will bring his high-motor play and 6-foot-10 frame to the German ProA league after a strong showing in Portugal.
Jones spent the 2025-26 season with Imortal Luzigas Albufeira in Portugal’s top division, where he was a consistent double-digit threat. He averaged 9.45 points per game and proved to be a defensive anchor, totaling 144 rebounds and 12 blocks in 22 appearances. Prior to his stint in Portugal, Jones played for Limburg United in the BNXT League, where he appeared in four games during the 2024-25 season.
The Coach’s Take
LIONS head coach Demond Greene was effusive in his praise for the former Cyclone, noting that Jones’s basketball IQ and unselfishness make him a perfect fit for the “Karlsrudel” culture.
“With Robert Jones, we have signed a big man who understands the game excellently and can read situations on the field very well,” Greene said in a team statement on social media. “He is a true team player who works consistently for the team’s success on both ends of the floor. Offensively, he stands out particularly for his quality as a screener and thereby creates many advantages for his teammates. Defensively, he brings a high presence, communicates constantly, and takes responsibility – qualities that are of great importance for our style of play and our team culture.”
Greene added that a personal phone call with Jones sealed the deal.
“I was particularly impressed by his view of the game as well as his clear idea of how he can help the team and make it better. With his signing, we have found an important building block for our squad and our rotation.”
Hilton Legacy
Cyclone fans remember Jones as a vital piece of the program’s recent resurgence. During his final season in Ames (2023-24), he appeared in all 37 games, helping lead Iowa State to the Sweet 16.
He shot a blistering 59.4 percent from the field that year—the 11th-best single-season mark in ISU history—and finished his career ranked 20th in school history with 61 blocked shots.
Jones remains one of only three players in Iowa State history to play in multiple Sweet 16s.
Before joining the Cyclones, he played two seasons at the University of Denver, where he averaged 9.1 points and 5.0 rebounds as a sophomore.
Jones will now look to bring that same “Big Rob Energy” to the Europahalle as Karlsruhe seeks to climb the standings in the 2026-27 campaign.
Robert JonesGermanPS Karlsruhe LionsFormer Iowa StateGermanyThe PS Karlsruhe LIONSJonesHilton ColiseumBig Rob EnergyKARLSRUHEGerman ProAPortugal
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