Herbert Jones Bio
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 ft 7 in (2.01 m) and listed at 206 lb (93 kg), he plays the small forward position and has earned a reputation as one of the league’s top wing defenders. After starring at the University of Alabama, he was selected 35th overall in the 2021 NBA draft by New Orleans. In just a few seasons, Jones has become a two-time NBA All-Defensive honoree and a central part of the Pelicans’ long-term plans.
Early Life and Background
Herbert Keyshawn Jones was born on October 6, 1998, in Greensboro, Alabama, to Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones. He grew up in a close-knit family with deep ties to basketball, as his father Walter Sr. served as a high school head coach. Jones was born with hemolytic anemia, a blood condition that required close monitoring throughout his youth. His older brother, Walter Jr., also pursued basketball at the collegiate level, playing for Texas–Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M.
Jones attended Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama, where he began playing varsity basketball as a seventh-grader under his father’s coaching. He played alongside his older brother and helped the team reach the Class 1A state finals in 2015 before the school closed. For his junior year, he transferred to Hale County High School in nearby Moundville, Alabama, following his father, who had become an assistant coach there.
Path to Basketball
As a senior at Hale County, Jones blossomed into one of the state’s top prospects, averaging 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and four assists per game while earning Class 4A Player of the Year honors. He led Hale County to the 4A state championship, the school’s first-ever state title. His performance drew attention from several major college programs, and he ultimately committed to Alabama over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Florida.
Jones joined the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2017 and quickly established himself as a defensive specialist. As a freshman, he averaged 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and set a single-season program record with 23 charges drawn. He continued to grow in his sophomore season, averaging 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. On January 29, 2020, he suffered a fractured left wrist against LSU, underwent surgery, and returned to action on February 12 while still wearing a cast.
As a junior, Jones averaged 7.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game, earning a spot on the Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Defensive Team. He briefly declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning for his senior season. In 2020–21, he was named SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year, and he earned third-team All-American honors.
Herbert Jones Career
Early Career (2021–2022)
Herbert Jones was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 35th overall pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. He quickly carved out a role as a versatile wing defender who could guard multiple positions. On December 28, 2021, he scored a then career-high 26 points in a 108–104 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. By season’s end, his defensive impact earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022.
NBA Breakthrough (2022–2024)
Jones continued to expand his offensive game in his second and third NBA seasons, while remaining one of the Pelicans’ most reliable defenders. On March 27, 2022, he recorded a career-high six steals in a 116–108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. On April 5, 2023, he erupted for a career-high 35 points, connecting on five three-pointers in the process. That summer, he became a restricted free agent and re-signed with New Orleans on a four-year, $54 million contract.
In 2023–24, Jones cemented his place among the NBA’s elite defenders. On May 21, 2024, he was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, the only non-center on the list. The honor validated the Pelicans’ long-term investment in the former second-round pick.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2024–Present)
Jones made 20 starts for the Pelicans during the 2024–25 NBA season, averaging 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. His season was cut short on January 10, 2025, when he was ruled out indefinitely after suffering a torn posterior labrum in his right shoulder. On February 12, 2025, he underwent successful shoulder surgery and was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Despite the injury setback, the Pelicans committed to Jones’ future on July 14, 2025, when he agreed to a three-year, $68 million contract extension that runs through the 2027–28 season. He is widely viewed as a defensive cornerstone and a leader in the locker room.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is best known for his defensive versatility, basketball IQ and ability to guard positions one through four. He is a tenacious on-ball defender with quick hands, finishing among the league leaders in steals and deflections during the 2023–24 season. Offensively, he has developed into a reliable spot-up shooter and connective passer, thriving as a complementary piece alongside higher-volume scorers.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’ 2024 selection to the NBA All-Defensive First Team stands as his signature career milestone, as he was the only non-center honored that year. His career-high 35-point performance against Cleveland in 2023 and his six-steal game against the Lakers in 2022 further highlight his growing two-way impact for the Pelicans.
Herbert Jones Career Wins
Herbert Jones’ professional trophy case is built largely on individual defensive recognition rather than championships. He was named SEC Player of the Year in 2021 while at Alabama, then added NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2022 and an NBA All-Defensive First Team selection in 2024. His biggest team victory to date came in high school, when he led Hale County to the 4A state championship in Alabama.
NBA Highlights
Jones’ NBA resume is anchored by his 2024 NBA All-Defensive First Team selection, which followed his 2022 NBA All-Rookie Second Team nod. He is also a former SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year from his senior season at Alabama in 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
In high school, Jones was a Class 4A Player of the Year in Alabama and led Hale County to its first-ever state title. At the collegiate level, he earned two SEC All-Defensive Team selections in 2020 and 2021, along with first-team All-SEC honors.
Herbert Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Basketball runs deep in the Jones family. Herbert Keyshawn Jones is the son of Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones, and his father has coached at multiple Alabama high schools. His older brother, Walter Jr., played college basketball at Texas–Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M, continuing the family’s tradition in the sport.
Personal Life
Jones was born with hemolytic anemia, a blood condition he has managed throughout his life. After being drafted by the Pelicans, he became known for driving the same car to games that he had during college, as he tried to save money and help support his family. He has often worn team gear to games as part of that same modest, family-first approach.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 season was a difficult one for Herbert Jones and the New Orleans Pelicans. After establishing himself as one of the league’s premier wing defenders, Jones made 20 starts and averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game before his campaign was interrupted. On January 10, 2025, he suffered a torn posterior labrum in his right shoulder and was ruled out indefinitely.
On February 12, 2025, Jones underwent successful shoulder surgery and was ruled out for the remainder of the season, ending a year that had shown steady offensive growth. Despite the lost playing time, the Pelicans moved quickly to lock in his long-term future. On July 14, 2025, Jones agreed to a three-year, $68 million contract extension with New Orleans, signaling the franchise’s belief in his defensive identity and leadership.
Looking ahead, Jones is expected to return to full health and reclaim his role as the Pelicans’ top perimeter defender. With a contract that runs through 2028 and a clear role within the team’s core, his outlook entering the 2025–26 season centers on regaining his defensive form and continuing his offensive development.
