He was called by the New York Daily News as one of the "most prolific players ever" at Paul Robeson HS, taking the Eagles to consecutive PSAL championships while averaging 22 points and 10 rebounds a game. A 2012 article at ESPN named him among the 24 greatest playground legends in Brooklyn, a list that included Pearl Washington, Albert King and Lloyd "World B." Free. And Shamel Jones' one year with Georgetown was among the least productive of any center in the John Thompson era.

Choosing Georgetown over offers from UNLV and St. John's, Jones played in all 30 games for the 1996-97 Hoyas but was a non-factor. Despite close-in shooting common among centers, Jones shot just 24 percent from the field, and an even worse 26 percent from the free throw line. He set a season best eight points and 10 rebounds versus Delaware State but managed a combined seven points in 18 Big East games.

In hindsight, it appears Jones struggled academically his freshman year. John Thompson went to the unusual step to call out Jones' academics in the valedictory press release, candidly noting that "Shamel has some educational requirements which will best be served at another institution. We're sorry to see the young man go, but we recognize that meeting the educational needs of these kids is a lot more important than athletic needs."

Jones transferred to Memphis, averaging 5.9 points and 3.7 rebounds in 82 games. Jones had a rare rematch against his former team in the opening round of the 1999 Maui Invitational, scoring three points and seven rebounds as the Hoyas prevailed over the Tigers, 71-55.

In his years since college, Jones served as a medical assistant and currently works as a cook at the Avenues School in New York.