Haley Jones Bio
Haley Jones (born May 23, 2001) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Portland Fire of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). She played college basketball for the Stanford Cardinal of the Pac-12 Conference, helping the team win the national championship in 2021 while being named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. Selected sixth overall in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream, Jones has built a career that spans the WNBA, the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia, and USA Basketball national teams.
A 6 ft 1 in guard listed at 202 lb, Jones is recognized for her versatility, court vision, and competitive toughness. Beyond basketball, she has been active in media, business, and philanthropy, including co-owning a Major League Pickleball team and mentoring young athletes through the WNBA Changemakers Collective.
Early Life and Background
Haley Jones was born on May 23, 2001, in Santa Cruz, California. Growing up along the Northern California coast, she was introduced to basketball at a young age and quickly developed into a standout prospect. Her early years in Santa Cruz shaped the discipline and work ethic that would later define her career.
She attended Archbishop Mitty High School in San Jose, California, one of the most respected basketball programs in the country. As a senior in 2019, she was named the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, and a McDonald’s All-American. A five-star recruit, Jones was ranked the number one recruit in the 2019 class by ESPN, cementing her status as the top high school player in the United States.
Path to Basketball
Jones’s path to elite basketball began in California’s competitive youth and high school circuits, where she consistently played against older and more experienced competition. Her time at Archbishop Mitty High School allowed her to develop under strong coaching and against elite national schedules, preparing her for the next level.
As the top-ranked recruit in her class, Jones chose Stanford University, a program with a storied tradition of developing WNBA talent. The decision to remain in California and join the Stanford Cardinal positioned her to compete at the highest level of college basketball while continuing her academic development.
Haley Jones Career
Early Career (2019–2021)
As a freshman at Stanford University in 2019–20, Jones averaged 11.4 points, 4.2 rebounds, and 2.4 assists per game before suffering a season-ending knee ligament injury. The setback tested her resilience, but she approached her rehabilitation with focus and returned to the court stronger the following season.
In 2020–21, Jones averaged 13.2 points, 7.4 rebounds, and 2.8 assists per game, earning All-Pac-12 honors. She helped lead the Cardinal to the 2021 NCAA tournament title, Stanford’s first national championship since 1992. Her performance throughout the tournament earned her the Final Four Most Outstanding Player award, the highlight of her college career to that point.
Stanford Cardinal Breakthrough (2021–2023)
Following the championship, Jones continued to develop as one of the premier players in college basketball. In 2021–22, she earned First-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press, Second-team All-American honors from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association, and WBCA Coaches’ All-American accolades. She was also named the Pac-12 Co-Player of the Year and the Pac-12 Tournament Most Outstanding Player, capping a dominant junior season.
In her senior year of 2022–23, Jones was again a key contributor for the Cardinal, earning Third-team All-American honors from both the AP and USBWA. She completed her career as a three-time All-Pac-12 selection, leaving Stanford as one of the most decorated players in program history.
Atlanta Dream Era (2023–2025)
Jones was selected sixth overall in the 2023 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. In 40 games during the 2023 WNBA season, she averaged 3.9 points, 2.2 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game as a rookie. Her transition to the professional level required adjustment, but she continued to develop her game in a reserve role.
In 40 games during the 2024 WNBA season, Jones averaged 3.7 points, 2.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game. The Dream waived her on May 14, 2025, ending her time in Atlanta.
Geelong United Era (2024–2025)
On August 29, 2024, Jones signed with Geelong United of the Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL) in Australia for the 2024–25 season. The international experience allowed her to expand her game and compete during the WNBA offseason.
Phoenix Mercury Era (2025)
On June 1, 2025, Jones signed a hardship contract with the Phoenix Mercury. Her time in Phoenix was brief, as the Mercury waived her on June 8, 2025.
Dallas Wings Era (2025)
Over a week later, Jones was signed by the Dallas Wings as part of their hardship exception, with the team losing several players to injury. The Wings waived her on June 29, 2025, before signing her to a rest-of-season contract on July 9, 2025. Towards the end of the 2025 regular season, she was featured in an ESPN article on life on the WNBA fringe, highlighting the competitive nature of limited roster spots across the league.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is known for her versatility as a guard, combining strong court vision with the ability to rebound at a high level for her position. Her basketball intelligence and passing allow her to facilitate offense, while her size and strength help her compete on both ends of the floor.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her signature accomplishments, Jones was named the 2021 Final Four Most Outstanding Player after leading Stanford to the national championship. She was also recognized in her hometown of Santa Cruz, where the city council declared April 4 as “Haley Jones Day” in honor of her achievements.
Haley Jones Career Wins
Haley Jones has compiled an impressive list of team and individual achievements across her basketball career, highlighted by an NCAA championship and multiple All-American selections.
Stanford Cardinal Highlights
Jones’s Stanford tenure peaked with the 2021 NCAA championship, where she was named the Final Four Most Outstanding Player. She was a three-time All-Pac-12 selection, a First-team All-American in 2022, and the Pac-12 Co-Player of the Year in the same season. Her final college season included Third-team All-American recognition from the AP and USBWA.
Other Wins and Performances
At Archbishop Mitty High School, Jones earned the Naismith Prep Player of the Year, the Morgan Wootten Player of the Year, and McDonald’s All-American honors in 2019. Internationally, she represented the United States at the 2018 FIBA Under-17 World Cup in Belarus, winning a gold medal, and at the 2021 FIBA AmeriCup in Puerto Rico.
Haley Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Detailed information about Haley Jones’s family background is not widely documented in verified sources.
Personal Life
In January 2023, Jones launched a podcast with The Players’ Tribune called “Sometimes I Hoop.” In 2023, she and fellow WNBA player Jewell Loyd became co-owners of the Los Angeles Mad Drops, a team in Major League Pickleball. In February 2024, Jones joined the WNBA Changemakers Collective and their collaboration with VOICEINSPORT as a mentor focused on keeping girls in sport. In October 2025, she became engaged to Stephen Herron Jr.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season was defined by movement across multiple WNBA rosters for Haley Jones. After being waived by the Atlanta Dream on May 14, 2025, she briefly joined the Phoenix Mercury on a hardship contract before being waived on June 8. The Dallas Wings then signed her to a hardship exception, waived her on June 29, and signed her to a rest-of-season contract on July 9, 2025.
Her season reflected the competitive reality of the WNBA’s 12-player roster limit, a topic explored in an ESPN feature highlighting Jones and several other players navigating the league’s margins. Despite the turbulence, she continued to contribute as a versatile guard and gained valuable experience across multiple team environments.
On April 3, 2026, Jones was drafted 15th overall by the Portland Fire in the 2026 WNBA expansion draft, marking a new chapter in her professional career. She was later waived by the Portland Fire on May 21, 2026.
