Herbert Jones is a name that has been making waves in the NBA world.
As a starter for the New Orleans Pelicans, Jones has proven himself to be a valuable player on the court.
Herbert Jones was born on March 10, 1999, in Greensboro, Alabama. He started playing basketball at a young age and was a standout player throughout his high school career.
In fact, Jones started playing varsity basketball as a seventh-grader for Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama.
Jones led Hale County High School to its first-ever state title in 2016, and he was named the Alabama Class 4A Player of the Year.
He continued to impress scouts and coaches during his senior year, averaging 22.4 points, 12.4 rebounds, and 4.4 assists per game. Jones was also a standout on the defensive end of the court, averaging 5.5 steals and 2.5 blocks per game.
Jones continued his basketball career at the University of Alabama, where he played for four seasons. During his senior year, Jones averaged 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game.
He was named the SEC Player of the Year and the SEC Defensive Player of the Year at the close of the 2020–21 regular season, as voted by the league’s coaches.
Jones was selected in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 35th pick by the New Orleans Pelicans. He made his NBA debut on October 20, 2021, in a game against the Philadelphia 76ers, and he quickly became a fan favorite.
As a starter, Jones has been a consistent contributor to the Pelicans. In 66 games as a starter this season, he averaged 9.8 points, 4.1 rebounds, and 2.5 assists.
On December 28, 2021, Jones scored a then-career-high 26 points in a 108–104 win against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On March 27, 2022, he had a career-high six steals in a 116–108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers.