Kai Jones

Last updated

Kai Jones
Kai Jones defends RJ Nembhard (cropped).jpg
Jones with Texas in 2020
No. 23–Los Angeles Clippers
Position Center / power forward
League NBA
Personal information
Born (2001-01-19) January 19, 2001 (age 23)
Nassau, Bahamas
Listed height6 ft 11 in (2.11 m)
Listed weight221 lb (100 kg)
Career information
High school
College Texas (2019–2021)
NBA draft 2021: 1st round, 19th overall pick
Selected by the New York Knicks
Playing career2021–present
Career history
2021–2023 Charlotte Hornets
2021–2023 →Greensboro Swarm
2024 Delaware Blue Coats
2024–present Los Angeles Clippers
2024–present→San Diego Clippers
Career highlights and awards
  • Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year (2021)
Stats at NBA.com  OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg
Stats at Basketball Reference   OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

Kai Martinez Jones (born January 19, 2001) is a Bahamian professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the San Diego Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

Contents

Early life

Born in Nassau, Bahamas, Jones moved to the United States when he was 11 years old. Before high school, he returned to his home country hoping to pursue a career as a long jumper. At age 15, Jones played organized basketball for his first time, being drawn to the sport after having a growth spurt. [1]

High school career

In the summer of 2017, Jones took part in a Basketball Without Borders Americas camp held by the National Basketball Association (NBA) in Nassau. [2] [3] That year, he worked out with and took advice from top high school recruit Deandre Ayton in their hometown of Nassau. As a result, Jones was inspired to play basketball in the United States. [4] For the 2017–18 season, he enrolled at Orlando Christian Prep in Orlando, Florida, as a high school senior. He was teammates with five-star recruits Nassir Little and C. J. Walker and helped win the Florida High School Athletic Association (FHSAA) Class 3A state championship. [5] [6] In high school, Jones woke up at 4:45 a.m. every day to train and played basketball after school. [7] At the same time, he saw academic success, graduating with a 4.2 grade point average and summa cum laude honors. [1]

In the summer of 2018, Jones attended the NBA Global Camp in Treviso, Italy. [3] Following his senior year, he played a postgraduate season at Brewster Academy in Wolfeboro, New Hampshire. [8] On February 4, 2019, Jones was named to the National Prep Invitational all-tournament team. [9] In March, he helped Brewster Academy win the USA National Prep Championship. [10]

Recruiting

On October 15, 2018, Jones committed to play college basketball for Texas. He chose to join the Longhorns over offers from several other NCAA Division I programs, including Arizona, Kansas, and Oregon. [11]

College recruiting information
NameHometownHigh school / collegeHeightWeightCommit date
Kai Jones
C 		Nassau, Bahamas Brewster Academy (NH)6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)205 lb (93 kg)Oct 15, 2018 
Star ratings: Rivals: 4 stars.svg     247Sports: 4 stars.svg     ESPN: 4 stars.svg    ESPN grade: 88
Overall recruiting rankings:   Rivals: 59   247Sports: 49   ESPN: 53
  • Note: In many cases, Scout, Rivals, 247Sports, and ESPN may conflict in their listings of height and weight.
  • In these cases, the average was taken. ESPN grades are on a 100-point scale.

Sources:

  • "Texas 2019 Basketball Commitments". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  • "2019 Texas Longhorns Recruiting Class". ESPN.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  • "2019 Team Ranking". Rivals.com. Retrieved September 15, 2019.

College career

Coach Shaka Smart said that Jones had the best work ethic of any big man he coached. Despite this, Jones struggled to get playing time early in his freshman season. He gradually saw more playing time as the season progressed, finishing with eight points on 4–5 shooting from the field in just 10 minutes of the Longhorns' 73–71 win over McNeese State on November 30. [12] As a freshman, Jones averaged 3.6 points and 3.2 rebounds per game. [13] On January 26, 2021, he registered his first double-double, with 15 points and 10 rebounds in an 80–79 loss to Oklahoma. [14] Jones was named Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year and to the All-Big 12 honorable mention. [15] As a sophomore, he averaged 8.8 points and 4.8 rebounds per game. On March 24, 2021, Jones declared for the 2021 NBA draft. [16]

Professional career

Charlotte Hornets (2021–2023)

Jones was selected with the 19th pick in the 2021 NBA draft by the New York Knicks and immediately traded to the Charlotte Hornets. [17] On August 3, he officially signed with the Hornets. [18]

On September 30, 2023, the Hornets announced that Jones would not participate in training camp and offered no timetable for his return to the team. [19] The decision came after Jones displayed bizarre behavior on social media which included criticism of his teammates, incoherent speech, and declarations of being the greatest basketball player of all time. [20]

On October 9, 2023, Jones publicly requested a trade on X [21] and two days later, he was waived by the Hornets. [22] No team claimed his waiver, making him a free agent. He averaged 2.7 points in 9.1 minutes per game during his two seasons with the Hornets. [22]

Delaware Blue Coats (2024)

On March 15, 2024, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the Philadelphia 76ers. [23] However, he only played for the Delaware Blue Coats, Philadelphia's G League affiliate. [24]

Los Angeles Clippers (2024–present)

On April 14, 2024, Jones signed for the rest of the season with the Los Angeles Clippers. [25] On July 9, he re-signed with the Clippers [26] and on October 19, his deal converted into a two-way contract. [27]

National team career

Jones was a member of the Bahamian junior national team at the 2019 Centrobasket Under-17 Championship in the Dominican Republic. His team finished seventh place out of eight teams. [28]

Career statistics

Legend
  GPGames played  GS Games started MPG Minutes per game
 FG%  Field goal percentage 3P%  3-point field goal percentage FT%  Free throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game APG  Assists per game SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game PPG Points per game Bold Career high

NBA

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2021–22 Charlotte 2103.0.643.500.375.5.2.0.11.0
2022–23 Charlotte 46012.0.558.211.7312.7.3.4.73.4
Career6709.1.567.238.6472.0.3.3.52.7

College

YearTeamGPGSMPGFG%3P%FT%RPGAPGSPGBPGPPG
2019–20 Texas 271016.7.500.292.6363.2.4.51.13.6
2020–21 Texas 26422.8.580.382.6894.8.6.8.98.8
Career531419.7.553.345.6774.0.5.71.06.2

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">New Orleans Pelicans</span> National Basketball Association team in New Orleans, Louisiana

The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division of the Western Conference. The team plays its home games at Smoothie King Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charlotte Hornets</span> National Basketball Association team in Charlotte, North Carolina

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 Southeast Division of the Eastern Conference. The team plays its home games at the Spectrum Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Oak Hill Academy (Virginia)</span> Christian boarding school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, United States

Oak Hill Academy is a co-educational, private, Christian secondary school in Mouth of Wilson, Virginia, United States. Oak Hill enrolls approximately 140 students in grades 8–12, and is 100% boarding. It is accredited by the Virginia Association of Independent Schools and is authorized to enroll international students.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nicolas Batum</span> French basketball player (born 1988)

Nicolas Madelin Victor Andre Batum is a French professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He is also a member of the French national team and earned a silver medal in the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo and in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">D. J. Augustin</span> American basketball player (born 1987)

Darryl Gerard "D. J." Augustin Jr. is an American former professional basketball player who played for 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns from 2006 to 2008. He was drafted ninth overall by the Charlotte Bobcats in the 2008 NBA draft.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Avery Bradley</span> American basketball player (born 1990)

Avery Antonio Bradley Jr. is an American former professional basketball player currently working as Vice President of Player Development for the Utah Jazz of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns before being drafted 19th overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2010 NBA draft. With the Celtics, Bradley was twice recognized as an NBA All-Defensive Team member. He also played for the Detroit Pistons, Los Angeles Clippers, Memphis Grizzlies, Miami Heat, Houston Rockets, and Los Angeles Lakers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Montrezl Harrell</span> American basketball player (born 1994)

Montrezl Dashay Harrell is an American professional basketball player for the Adelaide 36ers of the Australian National Basketball League (NBL). He played college basketball for the Louisville Cardinals where he received the Karl Malone Award in 2015 as a junior for being the top power forward in the nation. Harrell was selected in the second round of the 2015 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets. He was traded to the Los Angeles Clippers in 2017 where he was awarded as the NBA Sixth Man of the Year in 2020. Harrell spent the following three seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers, Washington Wizards, Charlotte Hornets and Philadelphia 76ers. He missed the entire 2023–24 season after sustaining an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. Harrell signed with the 36ers in 2024.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kelly Oubre Jr.</span> American basketball player (born 1995)

Kelly Paul Oubre Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Philadelphia 76ers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Oubre played one season of college basketball for the University of Kansas before being selected by the Atlanta Hawks with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NBA draft, who then traded him to the Washington Wizards. Oubre has also played for the Phoenix Suns, Golden State Warriors, and Charlotte Hornets.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Buddy Hield</span> Bahamian basketball player (born 1992)

Chavano Rainer "Buddy" Hield is a Bahamian professional basketball player for the Golden State Warriors of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Oklahoma Sooners and was named the Big 12 Conference Men's Basketball Player of the Year in 2015 and 2016. In 2016, he received four major national player of the year awards: the John R. Wooden Award, the Naismith Award, Sporting News Player of the Year, and the Oscar Robertson Trophy. Hield was selected with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NBA draft by the New Orleans Pelicans and was traded to the Sacramento Kings for DeMarcus Cousins in 2017. He was dealt to the Indiana Pacers in a package for Domantas Sabonis in 2022. In February 2024, he was traded to the Philadelphia 76ers. In July 2024, Hield was involved in a 6-team trade that involved him getting traded to the Golden State Warriors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lourawls Nairn Jr.</span> Bahamian basketball player

Lourawls "Tum Tum" Nairn Jr. is a Bahamian basketball coach and former player who is the associate head coach for the Bowling Green Falcons of the Mid-American Conference (MAC). He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans, where he would return as a graduate manager in 2019. Nairn began his coaching career as head coach at his alma mater, Sunrise Christian Academy, in the 2021–22 season. He moved to the collegiate ranks when he was appointed as an assistant coach for the Southern Utah Thunderbirds in 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Miles Bridges</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Miles Emmanuel Bridges Sr. is an American rapper and professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Michigan State Spartans. A native of Flint, Michigan, he competed for Flint Southwestern Academy at the high school level before moving to Huntington Prep School for his sophomore, junior, and senior year. Bridges was selected 12th overall by the Los Angeles Clippers in the 2018 NBA draft, but was traded to the Hornets on draft night.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">P. J. Washington</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Paul Jamaine Washington Jr. is an American professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Kentucky Wildcats. After being selected by the Charlotte Hornets in the first round of the 2019 NBA draft with the 12th overall pick, he was named to the NBA All-Rookie Second Team in 2020. Washington was traded to the Mavericks at the trade deadline in February 2024, helping the team reach the 2024 NBA Finals.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jarrett Allen</span> American basketball player (born 1998)

Jarrett Allen is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns and was selected 22nd overall by the Brooklyn Nets in the 2017 NBA draft. In January 2021, he was traded to the Cleveland Cavaliers as part of the four-team blockbuster James Harden trade. In February 2022, Allen was named to his first NBA All-Star Game.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kerwin Roach</span> American basketball player

Kerwin LaTroy Roach II is an American professional basketball player for CS Antonine of the Lebanese Basketball League. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 NBA draft</span> Basketball player selection

The 2020 NBA draft was held on November 18, 2020. The draft was originally scheduled to be held at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on June 25, but due to the ongoing at the time COVID-19 pandemic, it was instead conducted at ESPN's facilities in Bristol, Connecticut, with the event held via videoconferencing. National Basketball Association (NBA) teams took turns selecting amateur United States college basketball players and other eligible players, including international players. It was televised nationally on ESPN. The draft lottery was originally scheduled to take place on May 19, 2020, but due in part to the 2020 NBA Bubble, it was rescheduled to take place on August 20, 2020, instead. This was the first draft since 1975 to not be held in June and was also the second to be done later than that month after the inaugural 1947 draft, which was conducted in July by the NBA's predecessor, the Basketball Association of America (BAA). This draft also featured the lack of a proper "green room" due to pandemic restrictions. The first pick was made by the Minnesota Timberwolves, who selected Anthony Edwards out of Georgia.

Nathan Joseph Darling is a Canadian professional basketball player for the San Diego Clippers of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UAB Blazers and the Delaware Fightin' Blue Hens. He is the first and only Blue Hens player in NBA history.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Brown III</span> American basketball player (born 2001)

Gregory James Brown III is an American professional basketball player for the Mexico City Capitanes of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Texas Longhorns.

James David Bouknight is an American professional basketball player for the Rip City Remix of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the UConn Huskies.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Moussa Diabaté</span> French basketball player (born 2002)

Moussa Diabaté is a French professional basketball player for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Greensboro Swarm of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Michigan Wolverines. Diabaté was a consensus five-star recruit and one of the top centers in the 2021 class.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 NBA draft</span> 75th edition of the draft

The 2021 NBA draft, the 75th edition of the National Basketball Association's annual draft, was held on July 29, 2021, at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. The NBA draft returned to Brooklyn after the previous year's draft was held through videoconferencing at ESPN Studios in Bristol, Connecticut due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With the first overall pick, the Detroit Pistons selected Cade Cunningham. The NBA used a "ceremonial pick" for the late Terrence Clarke, between the 14th and 15th pick of the draft.

References

  1. 1 2 Daniels, Evan (June 5, 2018). "Kai Jones shows well at Global Academy, as interest picks up". 247Sports.com . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  2. ↑ "BWB Americas come to an end in The Bahamas". The Nassau Guardian . July 11, 2017. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  3. 1 2 Givony, Jonathan (June 7, 2018). "Scouting the most interesting draft prospects at the NBA Global Camp". ESPN.com. ESPN . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  4. ↑ McMullen, Ryan (October 15, 2018). "Texas lands Bahamian big man Kai Jones, who worked out with Deandre Ayton". ZagsBlog.com. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  5. ↑ Perper, Jake (June 5, 2018). "2019 F Kai Jones talks OCP state title, recruitment and more". PrepHoops.com. Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ Kemp, Bill (March 7, 2018). "Canterbury falls in Class 3A state championship game". The News-Press . Retrieved September 14, 2019.
  7. ↑ Dorsett, Renaldo (October 16, 2018). "Kai Jones Commits To The University Of Texas Longhorns". The Tribune. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  8. ↑ Snow, Brian (January 2, 2019). "Kai Jones shows major potential and is ready to make impact". 247Sports . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  9. ↑ Dorsett, Renaldo (February 6, 2019). "Jones Named In Tournament Team". The Tribune. Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  10. ↑ French, Simba (March 12, 2019). "Jones, Brewster Academy win National Prep Championships". The Nassau Guardian . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  11. ↑ Holland, EJ (October 15, 2018). "Four-star big man Kai Jones commits to Texas". The Dallas Morning News . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
  12. ↑ Dorsett, Renaldo (December 16, 2019). "Kai Jones Wants More Playing Time With Texas Longhorns". Bahamas Tribune. Retrieved January 15, 2020.
  13. ↑ Davis, Brian (March 11, 2020). "Big 12 tournament men's preview: No. 4 seed Texas vs. No. 5 seed Texas Tech". Austin American-Statesman . Retrieved April 10, 2020.
  14. ↑ Dorsett, Renaldo (January 28, 2021). "Kai Jones posts his first double double in NCAA". The Tribune. Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  15. ↑ Wallace, Roger (March 8, 2021). "Longhorns' Kai Jones named Big 12 Sixth Man of the Year". KXAN-TV . Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  16. ↑ Coleman, Madeline (March 24, 2021). "Texas Forward Kai Jones Declares for NBA Draft". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved July 22, 2021.
  17. ↑ "Hornets acquire No. 19 pick in trade with Knicks". NBA.com. July 30, 2021. Retrieved July 30, 2021.
  18. ↑ Wash, Quinton (August 3, 2021). "Charlotte Hornets Sign James Bouknight and Kai Jones". NBA.com. Retrieved August 4, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Charlotte Hornets Statement Regarding Kai Jones". NBA.com. September 30, 2023. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
  20. ↑ Villarin, Yoko Nicole (October 17, 2023). "Charlotte Hornets Cuts Ties With Kai Jones After Public Trade Request". The Independent Singapore. Retrieved October 17, 2023.
  21. ↑ Callihan, Schuyler (October 9, 2023). "Kai Jones Announces He Has Requested a Trade". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 9, 2023.
  22. 1 2 "Charlotte Hornets Waive Kai Jones". NBA.com. October 11, 2023. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
  23. ↑ "76ers Sign Kai Jones to a 10-Day Contract". NBA.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 15, 2024.
  24. ↑ "76ers' Kai Jones: Headed to G League". CBSSports.com. March 15, 2024. Retrieved March 25, 2024.
  25. ↑ LA Clippers [@LAClippers] (April 14, 2024). "Welcome to #ClipperNation, Kai Jones!" (Tweet). Retrieved April 14, 2024– via Twitter.
  26. ↑ Maher, Rory (July 10, 2024). "Clippers Sign Kai Jones To Exhibit 10 Contract". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  27. ↑ Tucker, Tristan (October 19, 2024). "Clippers Convert Kai Jones To Two-Way Contract". HoopsRumors.com. Retrieved October 21, 2024.
  28. ↑ French, Simba (May 4, 2019). "Groups for 2019 Centrobasket U-17 Championships revealed". The Nassau Guardian . Retrieved September 15, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.