Arabia Mountain High’s Ronald Jones, III honors Cherokee roots in Atlanta Braves Native American All-Star Game

ATLANTA— When the public-address announcer calls the first name of Arabia Mountain High School’s Ronald Jones, III at Truist Park today(June 22), it will echo far beyond Cobb County, Georgia. It will reverberate all the way to the red dirt of Muldrow, Oklahoma—homeland of the storied Starr clan of the Cherokee Nation—and across Indian Country, where 50 elite Indigenous ballplayers have earned the right to showcase their talent in the Atlanta Braves Native American All-Star Game.

Jones, a rising senior at Arabia Mountain High School in the city of Stonecrest, will be among those participating in the Braves Native American All-Star Game. Jones play shortstop and pitcher, and is a right-handed batter. 

Jones, 17, is a descendent of Sam Starr, his great-great-great-grandfather. He is a third generation and citizen of the Cherokee Nation, the largest federally recognized tribe in the United States with more than 450,000 citizens worldwide and its modern-day capital in Tahlequah, Oklahoma. 

“We were thrilled to learn that Ronald was selected to participate with the Braves’ Native American All-Star Baseball Showcase. We got the news on Mother’s Day weekend,” said Ronald’s father, Ron Jones, II, who will be attending the game with his wife, Michelle, Ronald’s three sisters, and other relatives and friends. Cheering Ronald, III on spiritually also will be members of Voices of Faith Church and founder Bishop Gary Hawkins, Sr., as well as the baseball player’s  grandfather, Ronald Jones, a long-time deacon who serves at the church’s Stone Mountain campus. 

For Ronald, III, this weekend represents more than the opportunity to participate in an All-Star Baseball Showcase. It is a way to honor both his Starr family legacy and the future he envisions—one where baseball and academic ambition coexist.

“I’m just so grateful and thankful. I appreciate all the support and all the prayers,” said Ronald, III.  

Now in its third year, the Braves showcase gathers the top 50 high-school players of Native descent from the United States and Canada for a pro-style game, home-run derby and nine-inning game in front of college and professional scouts. Players represent more than 30 tribes and two countries, underscoring the game’s growing footprint and the Braves’ long-term pledge to “grow the game” in Native communities.

Earning one of those coveted uniforms for the Braves’ Native American All-Star Game is no small feat. Prospects submit an application that includes academic records, statistics and video; Braves scouting supervisors and the Native American Athletic Foundation review the materials, then extend invitations based on performance and projectability. A rigorous film analysis precedes an in-person showcase run by World Series champion Marquis Grissom’s development group before Sunday’s game.  

Ronald, III said that he shared with the Braves panelists that he is considering the University of Georgia, Morehouse College and University of Michigan as his top picks. He plans to study Finance or Engineering

At Arabia Mountain High, Ronald, III has worked rigorously on and off the field. He earned a 4.2 GPA and was a Georgia Merit scholar, his parents said. He also scored in the top 10 percent of the state on his SAT. 

Ronald, III began playing baseball at age 5 at Murphey Candler Elementary School in DeKalb County, Georgia.  He Is a fourth-year Varsity Baseball starter.  

 He was recognized by the DeKalb Dugout Club as a 2025 Scholar Athlete of the Year finalist.  

Ronald, III played in the Dominican Baseball Camp, on a prospect team for Tracy Smith, Head Coach for University of Michigan, June 2024.  This past Fall, he played in the Minority Baseball Prospects All-American Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama and had a batting average (.333) and OPS (1.083).  He currently plays travel baseball for Canes Baseball, Upstate Scout (17u).

Pictured L-R: Ron Jones, II, wife, Michelle, and their son Ronald Jones, III attending the Braves vs. the New York Mets match on June 19, 2025. Photo provided.