Herb Jones

 

Herbert Keyshawn Jones (born October 6, 1998) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and weighing 206 pounds (93 kg), Jones plays as a small forward and power forward. 

 

He played college basketball for the Alabama Crimson Tide, where he was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021. Jones was selected 35th overall by the New Orleans Pelicans in the 2021 NBA Draft. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022 and the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024. Jones is widely regarded as one of the best perimeter defenders in the league.

Early Life 

High School Career

 

Jones was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, and raised in Greensboro. He is the son of Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones. His father served as a basketball coach, and his older brother, Walter Jr., played college basketball for Texas–Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M. Jones was born with hemolytic anemia.

 

Jones started playing varsity basketball as a seventh-grader for Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama, where his father served as head coach. He played alongside his older brother and helped his team reach the Class 1A state finals in 2015, before the school closed.

 

Jones transferred to Hale County High School in Moundville for his junior and senior years. As a senior in 2016-17, he averaged 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and 4.0 assists per game, leading Hale County to its first-ever state championship and the Class 4A state title. He was ranked as the No. 113 overall recruit in the 2017 class. Jones committed to Alabama on October 6, 2016, over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Florida.

 

College Career

 

Jones attended his dream school, Alabama, after attending a Crimson Tide basketball camp as a five-year-old, where he met Antoine Pettway, who later recruited him to Alabama as an assistant coach.

 

As a freshman in 2017-18, Jones averaged 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He set a single-season Alabama record by drawing 23 charges. In his sophomore season (2018-19), he averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.

 

As a senior in 2020-21 under coach Nate Oats, Jones emerged as one of college basketball’s premier two-way players. He served as Alabama’s primary facilitator, averaging 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. Jones was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches, and earned third-team All-American honors. He was a finalist for the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Award. On April 8, 2021, Jones declared for the NBA Draft.

NBA Career

New Orleans Pelicans (2021–present)

 

Jones was selected 35th overall in the 2021 NBA Draft by New Orleans. He made an immediate impact, starting 69 games in his rookie season and averaging 9.5 points, 3.8 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. On December 28, 2021, Jones scored a then-career-high 26 points in a win over Cleveland. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.

 

In 2021-22, Jones established himself as one of the league’s elite defenders. On March 27, 2022, he recorded a career-high six steals in a win over the Los Angeles Lakers. On April 5, 2023, Jones scored a career-high 35 points with five three-pointers.

 

In 2022-23, following the team’s decision not to extend him before the season, Jones became a restricted free agent and re-signed with New Orleans on a four-year, $54 million contract on July 6, 2023.

 

The 2023-24 season proved to be Jones’ best. He started all 76 games and averaged 11.0 points, 3.6 rebounds, 2.6 assists, and 1.5 steals per game while shooting 49.8% from the field, 41.8% from three-point range, and 86.7% from the free-throw line—all career highs. His defensive excellence earned him NBA All-Defensive First Team honors, cementing his reputation as one of the league’s best perimeter defenders.

 

The 2024-25 season was marred by injury. Jones missed 62 games due to a shoulder injury and appeared in just 20 games, averaging 8.6 points per game.

 

In July 2025, Jones signed a three-year, $68 million contract extension that runs through the 2028-29 season and includes a player option for 2029-30. Combined with his existing deal, the total contract value reaches five years and $97 million.

 

Despite trade rumors involving the Lakers and other contenders, the Pelicans have made clear they are not interested in trading Jones. Reports indicate New Orleans is asking for at least two first-round picks in exchange for the 27-year-old wing, demonstrating how highly the organization values its defensive cornerstone.

 

Personal Life and Playing Style

 

Jones is known for his blue-collar mentality and no-frills approach to life. He famously drives the same car he had in college and maintains a humble lifestyle despite his multi-million dollar contract. Jones is a devout worker who focuses on defense, hustle plays, and team-first basketball.

 

At 6-foot-7 with exceptional length, Jones is one of the NBA’s most versatile defenders. He can guard multiple positions and is known for his ability to lock down elite scorers. His nickname “Straitjacket” reflects his suffocating defensive style.

 

References

 

External Links

* Herb Jones on NBA.com

* Herb Jones on Basketball-Reference.com