Damian William Jones (born June 30, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick. Jones is a two-time NBA champion, having won both with Golden State in 2017 and 2018.
Jones with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2023 | |
No. 30 – Zhejiang Golden Bulls | |
---|---|
Position | Center |
League | CBA |
Personal information | |
Born | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, U.S. | June 30, 1995
Listed height | 2.10 m (6 ft 11 in) |
Listed weight | 111 kg (245 lb) |
Career information | |
High school | Scotlandville Magnet (Baton Rouge, Louisiana) |
College | Vanderbilt (2013–2016) |
NBA draft | 2016: 1st round, 30th overall pick |
Selected by the Golden State Warriors | |
Playing career | 2016–present |
Career history | |
2016–2019 | Golden State Warriors |
2016–2018 | →Santa Cruz Warriors |
2019–2020 | Atlanta Hawks |
2020–2021 | Phoenix Suns |
2021 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2021–2022 | Sacramento Kings |
2022–2023 | Los Angeles Lakers |
2023 | Utah Jazz |
2023–2024 | Cleveland Cavaliers |
2024–present | Zhejiang Golden Bulls |
Career highlights and awards | |
| |
Stats at NBA.com | |
Stats at Basketball-Reference.com | |
High school career
editJones attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana[1] where he averaged 15.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 2.0 assists as a senior.[2] Jones was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and committed to Vanderbilt University.[3][4]
College career
editIn three seasons at Vanderbilt, Jones averaged 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.69 blocks and 27.2 minutes in 99 games, garnering first-team All-SEC honors as both a sophomore and junior. He hit 56.6 percent from the field during his collegiate career, the third-best mark in Vanderbilt history, while finishing second on the school's all-time blocks list (167). As a junior in 2015–16, Jones averaged 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.64 blocks in 33 games, helping Vanderbilt to their first NCAA Tournament berth since 2011–12.[5]
On April 14, 2016, Jones declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.[6]
Professional career
editGolden State Warriors (2016–2019)
editWhile working out with the Orlando Magic in the lead up to the draft, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle in his right arm, which required surgery.[7] Despite this, Jones was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft.[8] He signed with the Warriors on July 13,[5] and made his NBA debut on December 10 against the Memphis Grizzlies.[9] On February 1, 2017, in his first game for the Warriors at Oracle Arena, Jones scored his first career NBA points in a 126–111 victory over the Charlotte Hornets.[10] He appeared in 10 regular-season games and four playoff games during the 2016–17 season.[11] The Warriors won the 2017 NBA Finals after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record, the best postseason winning percentage in NBA history.[12]
The 2017–18 season saw Jones appear in 15 regular-season games and four playoff games,[13] as the Warriors returned to the NBA Finals, where they won their second straight championship over the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep. During his first two seasons, Jones received multiple assignments to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State's G League affiliate.[14]
Jones became the starting center for the Warriors in 2018–19, starting in 22 of the Warriors' first 24 games.[15] On December 1, 2018, he suffered a torn left pectoral muscle in a 111–102 loss to the Detroit Pistons.[16][17] He initially was ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair the muscle.[18][19] Jones returned to action during the Western Conference Finals.[20] The Warriors went on to reach the 2019 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games.[21]
Atlanta Hawks (2019–2020)
editOn July 8, 2019, Jones and with a 2026 second-round pick were traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Omari Spellman.[22]
Phoenix Suns (2020–2021)
editOn November 30, 2020, Jones signed a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns.[23] In 14 games, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.
On February 23, 2021, Jones was waived by the Suns.[24]
Los Angeles Lakers (2021)
editOn February 26, 2021, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the Los Angeles Lakers.[25] On March 11, the Lakers signed him to another 10-day contract.[26]
Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)
editOn April 7, 2021, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings.[27] He signed a second one 10 days later.[28] On April 28, Jones signed a multi-year deal with the Kings after appearing in six games, including two starts.[29]
Return to the Lakers (2022–2023)
editOn July 1, 2022, Jones signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.[30]
Utah Jazz (2023)
editOn February 9, 2023, Jones was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves.[31] He made his Jazz debut on February 15, recording seven points, two rebounds and two blocks in a 117–111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.[32]
On June 20, 2023, Jones exercised his $2.59 million player option to return to the Jazz for the 2023–24 season.[33]
Cleveland Cavaliers (2023–2024)
editOn July 8, 2023, Jones was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers.[34]
Zhejiang Golden Bulls (2024–present)
editOn August 2, 2024, Jones signed with the Zhejiang Golden Bulls of the Chinese Basketball Association.[35]
Career statistics
editGP | Games played | GS | Games started | MPG | Minutes per game |
FG% | Field goal percentage | 3P% | 3-point field goal percentage | FT% | Free throw percentage |
RPG | Rebounds per game | APG | Assists per game | SPG | Steals per game |
BPG | Blocks per game | PPG | Points per game | Bold | Career high |
† | Won an NBA championship |
NBA
editRegular season
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016–17† | Golden State | 10 | 0 | 8.5 | .500 | — | .300 | 2.3 | .0 | .1 | .4 | 1.9 |
2017–18† | Golden State | 15 | 0 | 5.9 | .500 | — | .600 | .9 | .1 | .1 | .2 | 1.7 |
2018–19 | Golden State | 24 | 22 | 17.1 | .716 | — | .649 | 3.1 | 1.2 | .5 | 1.0 | 5.4 |
2019–20 | Atlanta | 55 | 27 | 16.1 | .680 | .222 | .738 | 3.7 | .6 | .5 | .7 | 5.6 |
2020–21 | Phoenix | 14 | 0 | 6.7 | .500 | .000 | .545 | 1.3 | .3 | .1 | .4 | 1.6 |
L.A. Lakers | 8 | 6 | 14.0 | .941 | — | .917 | 3.3 | .1 | .1 | .9 | 5.4 | |
Sacramento | 17 | 4 | 20.0 | .657 | .250 | .714 | 4.5 | 1.4 | .5 | 1.0 | 6.9 | |
2021–22 | Sacramento | 56 | 15 | 18.2 | .658 | .345 | .718 | 4.4 | 1.2 | .5 | .8 | 8.1 |
2022–23 | L.A. Lakers | 22 | 1 | 8.0 | .541 | .000 | .750 | 2.5 | .2 | .1 | .5 | 2.5 |
Utah | 19 | 0 | 15.8 | .714 | .714 | .778 | 3.5 | .6 | .3 | .5 | 4.6 | |
2023–24 | Cleveland | 39 | 0 | 6.9 | .597 | .214 | .857 | 1.6 | .4 | .2 | .3 | 2.7 |
Career | 279 | 75 | 13.5 | .656 | .351 | .715 | 3.1 | .7 | .3 | .7 | 4.9 |
Playoffs
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2017† | Golden State | 4 | 0 | 5.2 | .429 | — | .500 | 1.5 | .0 | .5 | .3 | 1.8 |
2018† | Golden State | 4 | 0 | 2.7 | .500 | — | .667 | .8 | .0 | .0 | .0 | 1.0 |
2019 | Golden State | 4 | 1 | 2.0 | 1.000 | — | .500 | .5 | .0 | .0 | .0 | .8 |
2024 | Cleveland | 2 | 0 | 4.6 | — | — | — | 1.0 | 1.0 | .0 | .5 | .0 |
Career | 14 | 1 | 3.5 | .500 | — | .571 | .9 | .1 | .1 | .1 | 1.0 |
College
editYear | Team | GP | GS | MPG | FG% | 3P% | FT% | RPG | APG | SPG | BPG | PPG |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2013–14 | Vanderbilt | 31 | 28 | 25.7 | .543 | — | .545 | 5.7 | .2 | .3 | 1.4 | 11.3 |
2014–15 | Vanderbilt | 35 | 34 | 29.1 | .562 | .200 | .599 | 6.5 | .7 | .6 | 2.0 | 14.5 |
2015–16 | Vanderbilt | 33 | 33 | 26.2 | .590 | .000 | .536 | 6.9 | 1.2 | .2 | 1.6 | 13.9 |
Career | 99 | 95 | 27.1 | .566 | .125 | .565 | 6.4 | .7 | .4 | 1.7 | 13.3 |
Personal life
editThe son of David and Dana Jones, Jones has two brothers: Darian and Darryl. Jones majored in engineering science.[2]
References
edit- ^ Lopez, Andrew (April 29, 2013). "Scotlandville's Damian Jones and Brian Bridgewater look forward to facing off in SEC". NOLA.com. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ a b "Vanderbilt bio". VUCommodores.com. Archived from the original on October 25, 2016. Retrieved December 9, 2016.
- ^ "Damian Jones – Rivals.com". Rivals.com. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ Johnson, Raphielle (September 2, 2012). "Four-star forward Damian Jones commits to Vanderbilt". NBCSports.com. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ a b "Warriors Sign Rookie Center Damian Jones to Contract". NBA.com. July 13, 2016. Retrieved July 13, 2016.
- ^ Sparks, Adam (April 14, 2016). "Vanderbilt's Damian Jones declares for NBA Draft". Tennessean.com. Retrieved April 14, 2016.
- ^ Herbert, James (June 18, 2016). "NBA Draft 2016: Vanderbilt's Damian Jones has surgery for pectoral injury". CBSSports.com. Retrieved June 18, 2016.
- ^ "Warriors Select Vanderbilt Center Damian Jones With 30th Overall Pick in 2016 NBA Draft". NBA.com. June 23, 2016. Retrieved June 23, 2016.
- ^ "Grizzlies dominate Warriors for sixth straight victory". ESPN.com. December 10, 2016. Retrieved December 11, 2016.
- ^ "Stephen Curry's 3-point clinic leads Warriors past Hornets". ESPN.com. February 1, 2017. Retrieved February 2, 2017.
- ^ "Damian Jones 2016-17 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 25, 2017.
- ^ "Warriors (16–1) Record Best Postseason Winning Percentage in NBA History". Bleacher Report. June 14, 2017. Retrieved May 10, 2018.
- ^ "Damian Jones 2017-18 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ "All-Time NBA Assignments". NBA.com. Retrieved May 29, 2018.
- ^ Slater, Anthony (December 2, 2018). "After Damian Jones' pectoral tear, will the Warriors add another center?". The Athletic. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
After two years developing in the G League, away from the spotlight, the Warriors put him on center stage, starting him in 22 of the first 24 games.
- ^ "Griffin, Drummond lead Pistons over Curry, Warriors 111-102". ESPN.com. December 1, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
Golden State center Damian Jones injured his left shoulder in the third quarter and did not return.
- ^ "Warriors' center Damian Jones suffers torn left pectoral muscle". NBA.com. December 2, 2018. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
- ^ Murdock, Logan (December 7, 2018). "Damian Jones expected to be sidelined for five to six months". Daily Democrat. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
- ^ Wojnarowski, Adrian (December 2, 2018). "Warriors' Damian Jones to have surgery on pec, likely out for season". ESPN.com. Retrieved March 21, 2023.
- ^ "Damian Jones 2018-19 Game Log". Basketball-Reference.com. Retrieved June 13, 2019.
- ^ "The Big Moments: Toronto Raptors 2019 championship run". NBA.com. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ "Atlanta Hawks Acquire Damian Jones From Golden State Warriors". NBA.com. July 8, 2019.
- ^ "SUNS SIGN MOORE, GALLOWAY, & JONES". NBA.com. November 30, 2020.
- ^ "Suns waive backup center Damian Jones". NBA.com. February 23, 2021. Retrieved February 24, 2021.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Damian Jones To 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. February 26, 2021.
- ^ "Lakers Re-Sign Damian Jones to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. March 11, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
- ^ "Kings Sign Damian Jones to 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. April 7, 2021. Retrieved April 7, 2021.
- ^ "Kings Sign Damian Jones to Second 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. April 17, 2021. Retrieved April 18, 2021.
- ^ "Kings Sign Damian Jones To Multi-Year Contract". NBA.com. April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.
- ^ "Lakers Sign Troy Brown Jr., Damian Jones and Juan Toscano-Anderson". NBA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "Lakers trading Russell Westbrook to Jazz in 3-team, 8-player deal". NBA.com. February 9, 2023.
- ^ "JACKSON, BANE LEAD GRIZZLIES OVER JAZZ, 117-111". NBA.com. Retrieved February 16, 2023.
- ^ "Jazz's Damian Jones: Exercises player option for 2023-24".
- ^ "Cavaliers Acquire Damian Jones". NBA.com. July 8, 2023. Retrieved July 8, 2023.
- ^ "浙江男篮签下前NBA球员达米安·琼斯 着力补强内线". 中国新闻网. August 2, 2024. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics and player information from NBA.com and Basketball-Reference.com
- Vanderbilt Commodores bio