Class of 1958

“Pete” Jones was a 1958 graduate of Apex Consolidated High School and is the second former Tiger to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. He was one of the most outstanding basketball players in Apex history. Standing 6’8’’, he was a force in the paint and held the school record for rebounds and blocked shots. Pete accepted a scholarship to attend North Carolina Central University after his graduation where he continued to excel in the classroom and on the court. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1963 and was drafted by the St. Louis Hawks.

Pete moved to New York City to prepare for a possible NBA career, but instead was recruited to play for the Harlem Wizards. After playing for the Wizards for several years, Pete signed to play professionally in Italy, but returned to New York City in 1968. Truly showing his traits as a Renaissance man, he transitioned from a life in basketball to one in music, where he became one of the original founders of the Hip Hop music genre. Known as Pete “DJ” Jones, he was credited with being one of the originators of using two turntables during his DJ performances. Learn more about his music career here.

Hip Hop legends Kurtis Blow and Grandmaster Flash both praised Pete’s innovations as being critical in the mixing and scratching movement of the Hip Hop scene and in the development of the “jump” between songs. And if that was not enough, “DJ” Pete was also an acclaimed middle school teacher for over 30 years in the Bronx. Sadly, Pete passed away in 2015, but his two sons, Timothy Karim Jones and Jonathan Richard Jones, accepted his Hall of Fame plaque in his memory.