Derrick Jones Jr. Bio
Derrick Labrent Jones Jr., born on February 15, 1997, in Chester, Pennsylvania, is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and playing the small forward and power forward positions, Jones has built a reputation as one of the league’s most athletic wings. He played college basketball for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels and entered the NBA in 2016 after going undrafted. Nicknamed “Airplane Mode” for his spectacular dunking ability, Jones has suited up for several franchises, including the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks, before joining the Clippers.
Early Life and Background
Derrick Labrent Jones Jr. was born and raised in Chester, Pennsylvania, a city located just outside Philadelphia. Growing up in the region gave him early exposure to competitive basketball, and he attended Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania. There, he developed into a high-flying forward under head coach Paul Romanczuk, sharpening the athletic tools that would later define his professional profile. As a senior during the 2014–15 season, he led Archbishop Carroll to a 23–7 overall record, including a 12–3 mark in conference play, and earned Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year honors along with Delaware County Player of the Year and PIAA Triple-A Player of the Year recognition. He also earned first-team All-Catholic League distinction.
During his senior campaign, Jones averaged 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, capping his high school career with 1,645 points, 1,029 rebounds, and 268 blocked shots, the highest scoring total in school history. His performance in the state tournament semifinals, a 30-point, 18-rebound, five-block effort, foreshadowed the high-energy style he would bring to the next level. Following his senior year, he was named Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball in 2015, a fitting send-off to one of the most decorated prep careers in the state.
Path to Professional Basketball
Jones joined the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels for his freshman season in 2015–16, where he immediately became a focal point of the team’s frontcourt. He averaged 11.5 points on 58.9 percent shooting and 4.5 rebounds across 30 games, including four double-doubles, and recorded a career-high 26 points with 10 rebounds against Chaminade at the Maui Invitational Tournament. Late in the season, however, the NCAA ruled him ineligible following the cancellation of an ACT test score, forcing him to sit out the final three games of UNLV’s schedule.
Despite the eligibility setback, Jones declared for the 2016 NBA draft on April 7, 2016, and ultimately went undrafted. He joined the Sacramento Kings for the 2016 NBA Summer League but was unable to play because of a groin injury. On September 25, 2016, he signed with the Phoenix Suns for training camp, where he impressed the coaching staff enough to secure an opening-night roster spot. That opportunity launched his NBA career, even as he spent much of his rookie season developing with the Northern Arizona Suns in the NBA Development League.
Derrick Jones Jr. Career
Phoenix Suns Era (2016–2017)
Jones made his NBA debut on November 19, 2016, against the Philadelphia 76ers, and recorded his first field goal on December 15, 2016, against the San Antonio Spurs. Although he spent significant time with the Northern Arizona Suns in the G League, he appeared in 38 games for Phoenix over two seasons, averaging 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds in 15.2 minutes. As a rookie, he also earned a trip to the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, finishing as runner-up to Glenn Robinson III after reaching the final round.
Jones recorded several milestones during his Phoenix tenure, including his first NBA start on March 11, 2017, his first double-digit scoring game on March 28, 2017, and a career-high 15 points on April 9, 2017, against the Dallas Mavericks. On December 7, 2017, he was waived by the Suns, ending his first NBA chapter and setting the stage for a pivotal move.
Miami Heat Era (2017–2020)
On December 31, 2017, Jones signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, splitting time between the Heat and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He made his first Heat start on January 9, 2018, against the Toronto Raptors, recording eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 28 minutes. On July 1, 2018, he signed a 2-year, $3.2 million standard contract with Miami, marking his transition from a two-way prospect to a full-time NBA rotation player.
Jones’s most defining moment came during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, when he won the Slam Dunk Contest over Aaron Gordon. After both dunkers posted perfect scores through the first two rounds of the finale, Jones won the overtime round with a 48, taking off just past the free throw line for a windmill jam, while Gordon received a 47 after leaping over 7-foot-6 Tacko Fall. On August 14, 2020, he suffered a neck strain in a collision with Goga Bitadze and was stretchered off the court, but he helped the Heat reach the 2020 NBA Finals, where they lost in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Portland Trail Blazers Era (2020–2021)
On November 22, 2020, Jones signed a 2-year, $19 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers, a significant raise that reflected his growing reputation as a defensive specialist and high-energy wing. In Portland, he continued to provide switchable perimeter defense and rim-running athleticism as a complementary piece alongside Damian Lillard. His time with the Trail Blazers helped him refine his off-ball movement and three-point shooting, areas that had been considered weaknesses earlier in his career.
Chicago Bulls Era (2021–2023)
On August 28, 2021, Jones was acquired by the Chicago Bulls in a three-team sign-and-trade also involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, with Chicago also receiving a first-round and a second-round pick. His Bulls tenure was interrupted by injuries, including a right knee bone bruise in January 2022 and a fractured right index finger later that month. On July 6, 2022, he re-signed with Chicago on a two-year, $6.6 million contract, reaffirming the franchise’s confidence in his role as a defensive stopper. On June 21, 2023, he declined his $3.36 million player option to enter free agency.
Dallas Mavericks Era (2023–2024)
On August 18, 2023, Jones signed with the Dallas Mavericks, where he made his debut on October 25, 2023, in a 126–119 win over the San Antonio Spurs. Although he initially came off the bench, his elite defense eventually earned him a starting spot, and he became a critical piece of the Mavericks’ playoff rotation. He primarily guarded the opposing team’s best player, including Paul George, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards, while also showing improvement as a perimeter shooter and reliable cutter. Jones helped Dallas reach the 2024 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2024–Present)
On July 10, 2024, Jones signed a three-year, $30 million contract with the Los Angeles Clippers, the largest deal of his career. During the 2024–25 NBA season, he made 77 appearances with 55 starts, averaging 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. He started the first 13 games of the following season before injuries intervened. On November 17, 2025, he was ruled out for at least six weeks with a sprained MCL in his right knee, and on January 4, 2026, a Grade 2 MCL sprain in the same knee was diagnosed, sidelining him for another six weeks.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is widely regarded as one of the NBA’s most explosive athletes, capable of finishing above the rim in traffic and switching defensively across multiple positions. His combination of vertical leap, length, and lateral quickness allows him to guard point forwards, wings, and even some bigs in small-ball lineups. Offensively, he has steadily expanded his range and cutting instincts, complementing his rim-running game with improved three-point shooting and finishing through contact.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’s career is highlighted by his 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest victory over Aaron Gordon, a run to the 2020 NBA Finals with the Miami Heat, and a return trip to the 2024 NBA Finals with the Dallas Mavericks. He has also earned the Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball award in 2015, two All-Star Weekend dunk contest appearances, and a reputation as a marquee perimeter defender trusted with primary matchups against the league’s best scorers.
Derrick Jones Jr. Career Highlights
Across his NBA career, Derrick Labrent Jones Jr. has been recognized primarily for his dunk contest accolades and defensive impact rather than scoring totals. He won the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest and was a finalist in 2017, while reaching the NBA Finals twice, in 2020 with the Heat and in 2024 with the Mavericks. His career has been defined by athletic milestones, signature playoff moments, and steady growth as a two-way wing.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond the NBA, Jones earned Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball honors in 2015 after a dominant senior season at Archbishop John Carroll High School. In college, he was the Runnin’ Rebels’ second-leading scorer in 2015–16 and was named to the Maui Invitational Tournament’s all-tournament team after a 26-point performance against Chaminade. He has also competed in multiple NBA Summer League events with the Sacramento Kings, Phoenix Suns, and other franchises.
Derrick Jones Jr. Family
Family Background and Lineage
Derrick Labrent Jones Jr. grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania, in a close-knit family that includes one brother and two sisters. While his parents’ names have not been widely publicized, his upbringing in the greater Philadelphia area helped shape the competitive edge that has fueled his professional career. His nickname, “Airplane Mode,” was inspired by his high-flying dunks, a personal brand that has become central to his public identity.
Personal Life
Jones became engaged to his girlfriend in January 2023 during the Chicago Bulls’ trip to Paris to play the Detroit Pistons. He is active on social media, where he shares updates about his basketball career and personal milestones. Known for his positivity in the locker room, Jones has been described by teammates as an energetic and supportive presence throughout his stops in the NBA.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2024–25 season, Derrick Jones Jr. delivered one of the most consistent campaigns of his career with the Los Angeles Clippers, appearing in 77 games with 55 starts and averaging 10.1 points, 3.4 rebounds, and 0.8 assists per game. His ability to defend multiple positions and finish at the rim provided the Clippers with valuable lineup flexibility, and he was a steady contributor in transition and on the glass. By the end of the regular season, he had established himself as a long-term piece of the Clippers’ rotation.
Early in the 2025–26 season, however, injuries disrupted his momentum. After starting the first 13 games, Jones was diagnosed with a sprained MCL in his right knee on November 17, 2025, sidelining him for at least six weeks. Upon his return, he came off the bench for four games before a Grade 2 MCL sprain in the same knee was diagnosed on January 4, 2026, ruling him out for another six weeks. The Clippers will look for him to anchor the wing rotation and provide defensive versatility once he returns to full health.
Looking ahead, the Clippers’ outlook will depend heavily on Jones’s recovery, given his importance as a switchable defender and connective offensive player. If he returns to form, he is expected to resume a meaningful role in the playoff rotation and continue his evolution as a three-point shooter and cutter. His contract, signed in 2024, runs through the 2026–27 season, giving Los Angeles time to integrate him back into the rotation and build toward another deep postseason run.