Colby Everette Jones Bio
Colby Everette Jones (born May 28, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who played college basketball for the Xavier Musketeers from 2020 to 2023. He was selected 34th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets. Jones has appeared in NBA games with the Sacramento Kings, Washington Wizards, and Detroit Pistons while also developing his game in the NBA G League with the Stockton Kings and Motor City Cruise.
Early Life and Background
Colby Everette Jones was born on May 28, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in a basketball family with strong collegiate roots. His father, Chad Jones, played college basketball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His older brother, C.J. Jones, also pursued a professional basketball career after playing for Arkansas and Middle Tennessee State University.
Jones attended Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama, where he developed into a highly productive player. As a sophomore, he averaged 23.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the top prospects in the state. Following a coaching change at Pinson Valley, Jones transferred to Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama, for his junior season to play under coach Bucky McMillan.
At Mountain Brook, Jones continued to elevate his game. He averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game during his junior year while helping the school win its third consecutive Class 7A state title. He played alongside future professional Trendon Watford during his time at Mountain Brook. In his senior season, Jones assumed a primary offensive role and averaged 25.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, leading Mountain Brook to a Class 7A runner-up finish.
Path to Basketball
Jones earned significant recognition during his high school career. He was named Over the Mountain Journal Player of the Year, All-South Metro Player of the Year, and Alabama Class 7A Player of the Year as a senior. His standout performances attracted attention from multiple major college programs. As a four-star recruit, Jones received scholarship offers from several universities, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and UAB. He ultimately chose to continue his basketball career at Xavier University, joining the Xavier Musketeers program.
Colby Everette Jones Career
College Career at Xavier (2020–2023)
Jones began his collegiate career with the Xavier Musketeers in the 2020–2021 season. He missed the first five games of his freshman season due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. On January 10, 2021, he made a significant impact by hitting a game-winning three-pointer in the final second of a 74–73 victory against Providence College. On February 16, 2021, he scored a season-high 20 points while adding six rebounds in a 93–84 loss to St. John’s University. For his freshman season, Jones averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game, earning selection to the Big East All-Freshman Team.
Jones continued his development over his sophomore and junior seasons at Xavier. His most memorable collegiate moment came during the 2022 NIT Tournament, where he delivered a championship-winning performance. He was named NIT Tournament MVP after helping lead the Musketeers to the title. In his junior season during the 2022–2023 campaign, Jones elevated his play to a higher level and was recognized as a Second-team All-Big East selection, reflecting his status as one of the top players in the conference.
Sacramento Kings and Stockton Kings (2023–2025)
Jones entered the 2023 NBA Draft and was selected 34th overall in the second round by the Charlotte Hornets. During the draft process, his rights were traded to the Boston Celtics, who subsequently traded them to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to Jordan Walsh and a 2024 second-round draft pick. Jones began his professional career with the Sacramento Kings organization.
Throughout his rookie season (2023–2024), Jones appeared in 30 games for Sacramento, averaging 2.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. He was frequently assigned to the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s NBA G League affiliate, for additional playing time and development opportunities. During his second professional season (2024–2025), Jones appeared in 39 contests for the Kings, averaging 1.1 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.3 assists per game while continuing to spend time with Stockton.
Washington Wizards (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Jones was traded to the Washington Wizards as part of a multi-team transaction. This move provided him with increased opportunities to contribute at the NBA level. Jones made 15 appearances for the Wizards during the remainder of the 2024–2025 season, displaying his most consistent professional basketball. He averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game with Washington, representing significant improvements across multiple statistical categories compared to his time with Sacramento.
Detroit Pistons and Motor City Cruise (2025)
On June 28, 2025, Jones was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Dillon Jones and a 2029 second-round draft pick. However, he was waived by the Thunder on the same day. Shortly after, on July 29, 2025, Jones signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, joining their NBA roster while being assigned to the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League. He made one appearance for the Pistons during the 2025–2026 season opener on October 27, recording two points and four rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. On November 10, 2025, Jones was waived by Detroit following the signing of Wendell Moore Jr.
Playing Style and Strengths
Jones is listed at 6 feet 6 inches (1.98 meters) and weighs 207 pounds (94 kg), giving him the size to play both guard positions. His offensive game features good shooting ability from mid-range and three-point distance, along with court vision that allows him to operate as a secondary ball-handler. His 6-foot-6 frame provides versatility to match up against multiple positions on both ends of the floor. His experience in Xavier’s system helped develop his basketball IQ and ability to play off the ball while remaining effective with the ball in his hands.
Notable Events and Milestones
The standout moment of Jones’ collegiate career was his performance during the 2022 NIT Tournament, where he led Xavier to the championship and earned tournament MVP honors. His game-winning three-pointer against Providence as a freshman demonstrated his ability to perform in clutch situations. His strongest NBA stretch came with the Washington Wizards in early 2025, where he averaged 8.7 points per game over 15 contests, suggesting potential for increased contribution if provided consistent opportunities.
Colby Everette Jones Career Highlights
Jones has built his professional career balancing NBA appearances with development time in the G League. His collegiate career at Xavier produced several notable achievements at the conference and national tournament levels.
College Highlights
Jones earned Second-team All-Big East recognition in 2023 following a standout junior season. He was named to the Big East All-Freshman Team in 2021 after his initial collegiate campaign. His most prestigious collegiate honor came in 2022 when he was named NIT Tournament MVP while leading Xavier to the championship. These achievements established him as a productive two-way player capable of scoring, rebounding, and facilitating for his team.
Professional Career Summary
At the NBA level, Jones appeared in 30 games during his rookie season with Sacramento (2023–2024), 39 games in his second season (2024–2025), and 15 games with Washington (2025) before his brief stint with Detroit. His most productive professional stretch came with Washington, where he averaged 8.7 points per game over 15 contests. His G League experience with Stockton and Motor City Cruise has provided additional development opportunities. He was selected 34th overall in the 2023 NBA Draft, with his draft rights being traded twice on draft night before landing with Sacramento.
Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Jones comes from a family with deep roots in basketball. His father, Chad Jones, played college basketball for UAB, giving Colby a foundation in the sport from an early age. His older brother, C.J. Jones, followed a similar path by playing college basketball for Arkansas and Middle Tennessee State before pursuing professional opportunities. This family background provided Colby with guidance and experience as he developed his own basketball career through high school and into college.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season represented a transitional year for Jones in several respects. He began the calendar year with the Sacramento Kings organization before being traded to the Washington Wizards in February. His time with Washington provided his most significant NBA experience, as he averaged 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game over 15 contests while receiving more consistent playing time than he had experienced previously. Following the Wizards stint, Jones was involved in multiple roster transactions during the summer, ultimately signing with Detroit and appearing in one game before being waived in November.
Jones continues to develop his game with the goal of securing a more permanent role at the NBA level. His G League experience has been valuable for maintaining rhythm and continuing to refine his skills. His versatility as a 6-foot-6 player who can shoot, handle the ball, and contribute defensively remains his pathway to increased opportunities. The trajectory of his career suggests a player who has shown flashes of potential at the NBA level and continues working toward establishing himself as a consistent contributor.