Bobby Ray Jones Jr., also known as “BJ” or “Yoga Bob,” is a Compton native whose life journey reflects resilience, creativity, discipline, and service. Raised in Compton as an active member of Holy Mount Calvary M.B.C. alongside his parents and grandmother, Bobby developed a deep love for learning, storytelling, sports, and community at an early age. As a youth, he excelled in both track and basketball, using athletics as a pathway toward structure, opportunity, and personal growth. His dedication earned him a basketball scholarship to the University of Washington, where he was a 4 year starter and earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Writing. His passion for education and storytelling would later become a driving force behind his work beyond basketball.

Following college, Bobby achieved his lifelong dream of being drafted into the NBA in 2006, played on 6 teams before continuing a successful 12-year professional basketball career throughout Italy. During his years overseas, he played in cities including Rome, Verona, Roseto, Caserta, Mantova, Forli, Teramo, Piacenza, Montegranaro, and Pistoia, while immersing himself in Italian culture, travel, and self-discovery. While living in Rome, Bobby expanded his creativity into filmmaking and directing, producing his first documentary, Basketball Jones: The Overseas Journey, in 2015. When COVID-19 spread throughout Europe, Italy became one of the first countries to enter a national lockdown. During that period of isolation, Bobby spent three months in Verona reflecting deeply, experimenting with fasting and cold showers, and reevaluating his purpose beyond basketball. Those experiences ultimately inspired him to found Growing Up Compton, a multimedia and e-commerce platform centered on storytelling, wellness, and community inspiration.