Herbert Keyshawn Jones Bio
Herbert Keyshawn Jones is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He plays the small forward position and has built a reputation as one of the league’s premier perimeter defenders. Born in Greensboro, Alabama, Jones developed his game through the Alabama high school and college system before emerging as an SEC Player of the Year candidate.
Jones earned third-team All-American honors as a senior in 2021 and was named the Southeastern Conference Player of the Year by the league’s coaches that same season. The New Orleans Pelicans selected him in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft with the 35th overall pick. He was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2022 and earned NBA All-Defensive First Team honors in 2024, making him the only non-center selected to that team.
Early Life and Background
Herbert Keyshawn Jones was born on October 6, 1998, in Greensboro, Alabama, to Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones. He was born with hemolytic anemia, a condition that did not prevent him from pursuing a basketball career. His older brother, Walter Jr., also played college basketball at Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M.
Jones began playing organized basketball at an early age under the guidance of his father. He started playing varsity basketball as a seventh-grader at Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama, where his father served as head coach. He played alongside his older brother Walter Jr. and helped the team reach the Class 1A state finals in 2015 before the school closed. For his junior season, Jones transferred to Hale County High School in Moundville, Alabama, following his father, who became an assistant coach there.
Path to Basketball
At Hale County High School, Jones blossomed into one of the top players in Alabama. As a senior, he averaged 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds, and four assists per game, earning Class 4A Player of the Year honors. He led Hale County to the 4A state championship, delivering the school its first-ever state title. His performance attracted attention from major college programs across the Southeast.
Jones committed to play college basketball at the University of Alabama over scholarship offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, and Florida. His decision to stay in-state reflected his connection to Alabama basketball and his comfort with the program’s development path. He joined the Crimson Tide as a member of the 2017 recruiting class and prepared to compete in the Southeastern Conference.
Herbert Keyshawn Jones Career
Early Career (2017-2021)
Jones began his collegiate career at Alabama during the 2017–18 season. As a freshman, he averaged 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game and drew a single-season program record 23 charges, immediately establishing himself as a tenacious defender. His sophomore season brought modest statistical growth, as he averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game while continuing to develop his two-way game.
During his junior year, Jones averaged 7.9 points, 6.4 rebounds, and 2.3 assists per game and was selected to the Southeastern Conference All-Defensive Team. On January 29, 2020, he suffered a fractured left wrist during a game against LSU and underwent surgery three days later. He returned to action on February 12 while wearing a cast. In his third game back, he recorded six points and 17 rebounds in an 88–82 win over LSU, making two free throws using only his right hand due to his injury. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to Alabama for his senior season.
Alabama Breakthrough (2020-2021)
Jones enjoyed a breakout senior season at Alabama. At the close of the 2020–21 regular season, he was named the SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year by the league’s coaches. As a senior, he averaged 11.2 points, 6.6 rebounds, 3.3 assists, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game. He also earned First-team All-SEC honors and was a two-time SEC All-Defensive Team selection (2020, 2021). Nationally, he received third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press and Sporting News.
On April 8, 2021, Jones declared for the 2021 NBA draft, forgoing his extra year of college eligibility. His combination of defensive versatility, basketball IQ, and senior-year production made him an attractive prospect despite not being a one-and-done lottery selection. The New Orleans Pelicans selected him with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the draft.
New Orleans Pelicans Era (2021-Present)
Jones joined the New Orleans Pelicans for the 2021–22 NBA season as a second-round selection. He quickly carved out a rotational role and demonstrated defensive instincts that translated well to the professional level. On December 28, 2021, he scored a then career-high 26 points in a 108–104 victory against the Cleveland Cavaliers. On March 27, 2022, he recorded a career-high six steals in a 116–108 win over the Los Angeles Lakers. His rookie-season performance earned him a spot on the NBA All-Rookie Second Team.
On April 5, 2023, Jones posted a career-high 35 points along with five made three-pointers in a standout offensive performance. Following the 2022–23 season, he became a restricted free agent and re-signed with the Pelicans on a four-year, $54 million contract, signaling the organization’s confidence in his two-way impact. On May 21, 2024, Jones was named to the NBA All-Defensive First Team, becoming the only non-center selected to that prestigious unit.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones plays the small forward position at 201 centimeters and 93 kilograms, using his length and lateral quickness to guard multiple positions on the floor. His defensive versatility allows him to check guards and wings alike, making him a rare perimeter player capable of anchoring an elite defense. He is particularly adept at drawing charges and disrupting passing lanes, skills that were evident from his earliest college seasons. His offensive game has steadily expanded to include corner three-point shooting and transition finishing.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones selection to the 2024 NBA All-Defensive First Team stands as the most significant milestone of his professional career. He was the sole non-center on the team, a rare accomplishment that underscores his elite perimeter defense. His journey from a seventh-grade varsity starter at Sunshine High School to a second-round draft pick who became an All-Defensive First Team selection reflects remarkable development and perseverance. He is known for driving the same vehicle to NBA games that he drove during his college days at Alabama, a habit born from his commitment to saving money to support his family financially during his early playing years.
Herbert Keyshawn Jones Career Wins
Herbert Keyshawn Jones has compiled a strong record of team and individual accomplishments from high school through the professional ranks. At Hale County High School, he delivered the school its first 4A state championship. At Alabama, he became one of the most decorated two-way players in program history, earning SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the the Year in the same season. In the NBA, he has earned All-Rookie and All-Defensive honors while becoming a key rotation player for the New Orleans Pelicans.
NBA Highlights
Jones was selected by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 35th overall pick in the second round of the 2021 NBA draft. He immediately contributed as a rookie and earned NBA All-Rookie Second Team honors in 2022. His defensive reputation grew with each season, culminating in his selection to the NBA All-Defensive First Team in 2024. He posted a career-high 35 points on April 5, 2023, and has established himself as a reliable two-way wing for the Pelicans.
Other Wins and Performances
Before turning professional, Jones led Hale County High School to its first Class 4A state championship and was named Class 4A Player of the Year. At Alabama, he earned First-team All-SEC honors, was named SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, and received two SEC All-Defensive Team selections in 2020 and 2021. He also earned third-team All-American recognition from the Associated Press and Sporting News as a senior in 2021. On April 8, 2021, he declared for the NBA draft following one of the most accomplished individual seasons in recent Alabama basketball history.
| League | Career Start | Draft Round | Draft Pick |
|---|---|---|---|
| NBA | 2021 | 2nd | 35th overall |
Herbert Keyshawn Jones Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Herbert Keyshawn Jones is the son of Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones. His father, Walter Sr. Jones, served as a basketball coach throughout Herbert’s developmental years, first as head coach at Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama, and later as an assistant coach at Hale County High School in Moundville, Alabama. This coaching presence provided Jones with early exposure to structured basketball training and a deep understanding of the game from a young age.
Jones has an older brother, Walter Jr., who played college basketball at Texas-Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M. The two brothers played together on the Sunshine High School varsity team during Herbert’s seventh-grade year, forming an on-court partnership that helped guide the team to the Class 1A state finals in 2015. Family has remained central to Jones’s identity as a player, and he has been open about his desire to use his NBA earnings to support his loved ones.
Personal Life
Jones was born with hemolytic anemia, a condition affecting red blood cells. Despite this health challenge, he developed into an elite athlete through disciplined training and family support. He is known for his modest lifestyle and commitment to his family, having driven the same car to NBA games that he drove during his college years at Alabama as a means of saving money to help his family financially. He maintains an active presence on social media under the handle @_hoopinglife. On July 14, 2025, Jones agreed to a three-year, $68 million contract extension with the New Orleans Pelicans, running through the 2027–28 season.
2025 Season Performance
The 2024–25 NBA season saw Herbert Keyshawn Jones establish himself as a core piece of the New Orleans Pelicans’ rotation. He made 20 starts for the team and averaged 10.3 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 3.3 assists per game. His two-way impact continued to be a valuable asset for the Pelicans, particularly on the defensive end where his ability to guard multiple positions provided lineup flexibility for the coaching staff.
On January 10, 2025, Jones suffered a torn posterior labrum in his right shoulder and was ruled out indefinitely. After attempting to manage the injury, he underwent successful shoulder surgery on February 12 and was ruled out for the remainder of the 2024–25 season. The setback cut short what had been a productive campaign for the two-way wing. Following the season, the Pelicans re-signed Jones to a three-year, $68 million contract extension on July 14, 2025, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to his role as a foundational defensive player and expressing confidence in his recovery and future production through the 2027–28 season.