Damian William Jones (born June 30, 1995) is an American professional

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appr ...

player for the

Los Angeles Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...

of the

National Basketball Association The National Basketball Association (NBA) is a professional basketball league in North America. The league is composed of 30 teams (29 in the United States and 1 in Canada) and is one of the major professional sports leagues in the United S ...

(NBA). He played

college basketball In United States colleges, top-tier basketball is governed by collegiate athletic bodies including National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), the United States Collegiate Athleti ...

for the

Vanderbilt Commodores The Vanderbilt Commodores are the college athletics in the United States, intercollegiate athletic teams that represent Vanderbilt University, located in Nashville, Tennessee. Vanderbilt fields 16 varsity teams (6 men's teams and 10 women's team ...

. Jones was selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft by the

Golden State Warriors The Golden State Warriors are an American professional basketball team based in San Francisco. The Warriors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. Founded in 194 ...

with the 30th overall pick. He is a two-time

NBA champion The National Basketball Association (NBA) Finals is the championship series for the NBA held at the conclusion of its postseason. All Finals have been played in a best-of-seven format, and are contested between the winners of the Eastern Con ...

, having won both with Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

High school career

Jones attended

Scotlandville Magnet High School Scotlandville Magnet High School (SMHS) is a public high school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. Scotlandville High is part of the East Baton Rouge Parish Public Schools. The school serves the Scotlandville neighborhood of Baton Rouge ...

Baton Rouge, Louisiana Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana. Located the eastern bank of the Mississippi River, it is the parish seat of East Baton Rouge Parish, Louisiana's most populous parish—the equivalent of counties i ...

where he averaged 15.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 2.0 assists as a senior. He was rated by

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as a four-star recruit and committed to

Vanderbilt University Vanderbilt University (informally Vandy or VU) is a private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Founded in 1873, it was named in honor of shipping and rail magnate Cornelius Vanderbilt, who provided the school its initial $1-million ...

College career

In three seasons at Vanderbilt, Jones averaged 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.69 blocks and 27.2 minutes in 99 games, garnering first-team All- SEC honors as both a sophomore and junior. Jones hit 56.6 percent from the field during his collegiate career, the third-best mark in Vanderbilt history, while finishing second on the school's all-time blocks list (167). As a junior in 2015–16, Jones averaged 13.9 points, 6.9 rebounds and 1.64 blocks in 33 games, helping Vanderbilt to their first

NCAA The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is a nonprofit organization that regulates student athletics among about 1,100 schools in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. It also organizes the athletic programs of colleges an ...

Tournament berth since 2011–12. On April 14, 2016, Jones declared for the NBA draft, forgoing his final year of college eligibility.

Professional career

Golden State Warriors (2016–2019)

While working out with the

Orlando Magic The Orlando Magic are an American professional basketball team based in Orlando, Florida. The Magic compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division. The franchise was establ ...

in the lead up to the draft, Jones suffered a torn pectoral muscle in his right arm, which required surgery. Despite this, Jones was selected by the

with the 30th overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft. He signed with the Warriors on July 13, and made his NBA debut on December 10 against the

Memphis Grizzlies The Memphis Grizzlies (referred to locally as the Grizz) are an American professional basketball team based in Memphis, Tennessee. The Grizzlies compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference ...

. On February 1, 2017, in his first game for the Warriors at

Oracle Arena An oracle is a person or agency considered to provide wise and insightful counsel or prophetic predictions, most notably including precognition of the future, inspired by deities. As such, it is a form of divination. Description The word '' ...

, Jones scored his first career NBA points in a 126–111 win over the

Charlotte Hornets The Charlotte Hornets are an American professional basketball team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Hornets compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Southeast Division, and pla ...

. He appeared in 10 regular-season games and four playoff games during the 2016–17 season. The Warriors were crowned champions in 2017 after defeating the

Cleveland Cavaliers The Cleveland Cavaliers (often referred to as the Cavs) are an American professional basketball team based in Cleveland. The Cavaliers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Ea ...

4–1 in the

NBA Finals The NBA Finals is the annual championship series of the National Basketball Association (NBA). The Eastern and Western Conference champions play a best-of-seven game series to determine the league champion. The team that wins the series is awa ...

. The 2017–18 season saw Jones appear in 15 regular-season games and four playoff games, as the Warriors returned to the

, where they won their second straight championship. During his first two seasons, he received multiple assignments to the

Santa Cruz Warriors The Santa Cruz Warriors are an American professional basketball team in the NBA G League based in Santa Cruz, California, and are affiliated with the Golden State Warriors. The Warriors play their home games at Kaiser Permanente Arena. Prior to ...

, Golden State's

G League The NBA G League, or simply the G League, is the National Basketball Association's (NBA) official minor league basketball organization. The league was known as the National Basketball Development League (NBDL) from 2001 to 2005, and the NBA Dev ...

affiliate. Jones became the starting center for the Warriors in 2018–19, starting in 22 of the Warriors' first 24 games. On December 1, 2018, he suffered a torn left pectoral muscle in a 111–102 loss to the

Detroit Pistons The Detroit Pistons are an American professional basketball team based in Detroit. The Pistons compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Central Division and play their home games at Li ...

. He initially was ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair the muscle. He returned to action during the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors went on to reach the

2019 NBA Finals The 2019 NBA Finals was the NBA Finals, championship series of the National Basketball Association's (NBA) 2018–19 NBA season, 2018–19 season and conclusion of the 2019 NBA playoffs, season's playoffs. In the best-of-seven playoff series held ...

, where they lost to the

Toronto Raptors The Toronto Raptors are a Canadian professional basketball team based in Toronto. The Raptors compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference Atlantic Division. They play their home games a ...

in six games.

Atlanta Hawks (2019–2020)

On July 8, 2019, Jones, along with a 2026 second-round pick, was traded to the

Atlanta Hawks The Atlanta Hawks are an American professional basketball team based in Atlanta. The Hawks compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Eastern Conference (NBA), Eastern Conference Southeast Division (NBA), Sou ...

in exchange for

Omari Spellman Omari Spellman (born July 21, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for Anyang KGC of the Korean Basketball League (KBL). He played college basketball for the Villanova Wildcats, winning a national championship in 2018. Spellman wa ...

Phoenix Suns (2020–2021)

On November 30, 2020, Jones signed a 2-year deal with the

Phoenix Suns The Phoenix Suns are an American professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona. They compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA), as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Suns are the only team in t ...

. In 14 games, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game. On February 23, 2021, Jones was waived by the Suns.

Los Angeles Lakers (2021)

On February 26, 2021, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the

. On March 11, the Lakers signed him to a second 10-day contract.

Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)

On April 7, 2021, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the

Sacramento Kings The Sacramento Kings are an American professional basketball team based in Sacramento, California. The Kings compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Western Conference Pacific Division. The Kings are the oldest ...

and ten days later, he signed a second one. On April 28, he signed a multi-year deal with the Kings after appearing in six games, including two starts.

Return to the Lakers (2022–present)

On July 1, 2022, Jones signed with the

Career statistics

NBA

Regular season

, - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 10 , , 0 , , 8.5 , , .500 , , , , .300 , , 2.3 , , .0 , , .1 , , .4 , , 1.9 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;", † , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 15 , , 0 , , 5.9 , , .500 , , , , .600 , , .9 , , .1 , , .1 , , .2 , , 1.7 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 24 , , 22 , , 17.1 , , .716 , , , , .649 , , 3.1 , , 1.2 , , .5 , , 1.0 , , 5.4 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Atlanta Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...

, 55 , , 27 , , 16.1 , , .680 , , .222 , , .738 , , 3.7 , , .6 , , .5 , , .7 , , 5.6 , - , style="text-align:left;" rowspan=3, , style="text-align:left;",

Phoenix Phoenix most often refers to: * Phoenix (mythology), a legendary bird from ancient Greek folklore * Phoenix, Arizona, a city in the United States Phoenix may also refer to: Mythology Greek mythological figures * Phoenix (son of Amyntor), a ...

, 14 , , 0 , , 6.7 , , .500 , , .000 , , .545 , , 1.3 , , .3 , , .1 , , .4 , , 1.6 , - , style="text-align:left;",

L.A. Lakers The Los Angeles Lakers are an American professional basketball team based in Los Angeles. The Lakers compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the league's Western Conference Pacific Division. The Lakers play their ...

, 8 , , 6 , , 14.0 , , .941 , , , , .917 , , 3.3 , , .1 , , .1 , , .9 , , 5.4 , - , style="text-align:left;",

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

, 17 , , 4 , , 20.1 , , .657 , , .250 , , .714 , , 4.5 , , 1.4 , , .5 , , 1.0 , , 6.9 , - , style="text-align:left;", , style="text-align:left;",

Sacramento ) , image_map = Sacramento County California Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Sacramento Highlighted.svg , mapsize = 250x200px , map_caption = Location within Sacramento ...

, 56 , , 15 , , 18.2 , , .658 , , .345 , , .718 , , 4.4 , , 1.2 , , .5 , , .8 , , 8.1 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 199 , , 74 , , 15.3 , , .665 , , .302 , , .702 , , 3.4 , , .8 , , .4 , , .7 , , 5.6

Playoffs

, - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;",

2017 File:2017 Events Collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: The War Against ISIS at the Battle of Mosul (2016-2017); aftermath of the Manchester Arena bombing; The Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017 ("Great American Eclipse"); North Korea tests a ser ...

† , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 4 , , 0 , , 5.3 , , .429 , , , , .500 , , 1.5 , , .0 , , .5 , , .3 , , 1.8 , - , style="text-align:left; background:#afe6ba;",

2018 File:2018 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: The 2018 Winter Olympics opening ceremony in PyeongChang, South Korea; Protests erupt following the Assassination of Jamal Khashoggi; March for Our Lives protests take place across the United ...

† , style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 4 , , 0 , , 2.8 , , .500 , , , , .667 , , .8 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , 1.0 , - , style="text-align:left;",

2019 File:2019 collage v1.png, From top left, clockwise: Hong Kong protests turn to widespread riots and civil disobedience; House of Representatives votes to adopt articles of impeachment against Donald Trump; CRISPR gene editing first used to experim ...

, style="text-align:left;", Golden State , 4 , , 1 , , 2.0 , , 1.000, , , , .500 , , .5 , , .0 , , .0 , , .0 , , .8 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 12 , , 1 , , 3.3 , , .500 , , , , .571 , , .9 , , .0 , , .2 , , .1 , , 1.2

College

, - , style="text-align:left;", 2013–14 , style="text-align:left;", Vanderbilt , 31 , , 28 , , 25.7 , , .543 , , , , .545 , , 5.7 , , .2 , , .3 , , 1.4 , , 11.3 , - , style="text-align:left;", 2014–15 , style="text-align:left;", Vanderbilt , 35 , , 34 , , 29.1 , , .562 , , .200 , , .599 , , 6.5 , , .7 , , .6 , , 2.0 , , 14.5 , - , style="text-align:left;, 2015–16 , style="text-align:left;, Vanderbilt , 33 , , 33 , , 26.2 , , .590 , , .000 , , .536 , , 6.9 , , 1.2 , , .2 , , 1.6 , , 13.9 , - class="sortbottom" , style="text-align:center;" colspan="2", Career , 99 , , 95 , , 27.1 , , .566 , , .125 , , .565 , , 6.4 , , .7 , , .4 , , 1.7 , , 13.3

Personal life

The son of David and Dana Jones, he has two brothers, Darian and Darryl. Jones majored in engineering science.

References

External links

Vanderbilt Commodores bio
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jones, Damian 1995 births Living people African-American basketball players American men's basketball players Atlanta Hawks players Basketball players from Baton Rouge, Louisiana Centers (basketball) Golden State Warriors draft picks Golden State Warriors players Los Angeles Lakers players Phoenix Suns players Sacramento Kings players Santa Cruz Warriors players Vanderbilt Commodores men's basketball players