James Jones is a professional basketball executive and former player from the United States. He was a member of the National Basketball Association (NBA) for 14 years.

The player had a very successful playing career. He won three NBA titles, two with the Miami Heat and one with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Jones only missed the playoffs once, with the Trail Blazers in 2007–08.

Likewise, during the 2007–08 season, he finished third in the NBA in three-point percentage and won the Three-Point Contest.

Currently, the player is working as the Phoenix Suns’ general manager.

This article contains all of the information we have about James, including his profession and personal life. So, do read the entire article!

Before we begin, here are some facts about James Jones. 

Quick Facts

Early Life and Education

The NBA player James Jones was born on October 4, 1980, in Miami, Florida. The player grew up with his two sisters. 

James attended ‘The American High school.’ Likewise, for his further education, the player enrolled at the University of Miami in 1999. He majored in finance at Miami. Again, he was also a member of the National Honor Society and had a 3.41-grade point average. 

James recalls that his mother was tough. According to him, she is the source of his vicious streak and his fearless, mix-it-up, let’s-rumble attitude.

Balancing basketball and academics was difficult in James’ first year of high school since he didn’t know what to anticipate. At that time, James’ mother offered him some straightforward advice.

The player once got a C in Civics or something – his only C, and he told her that it was challenging to balance it all. 

James’ mother gave him two choices; he could give up basketball and still earn straight A’s. Alternatively, he could play basketball and get straight A’s.

Hence, the player realized that he had no choice but to do it. So, he hunkered down, refocused, and began to prioritize. Eventually, the player had it both!

Sporting Family

James comes from a sporting family that women dominated. His mother had many sisters and all of them were athletes and their kids were also athletes.

For instance, Lisa Jones, his aunt, and Shay Jones, his cousin, both played women’s basketball for the University of Miami.

His other aunt and cousin were also collegiate players. Shawn, his cousin, also played at Marshall in the men’s program.

Moreover, he also had other cousins who played college football. So, from top to bottom, James’ family was very sporty.

The player’s mother worked as a corrections officer in Florida. As a result, she would compete in the Police Olympics as a correctional officer’s squad member.

As a child, James played against the women’s correctional officer team as well as the men’s team since his stepfather was a member of the men’s squad.

Likewise, James’ two sisters were high school volleyball players. His brother was also a high school football player. However, James chose to stick to basketball.

James’ Aunt (Lisa’s husband), Ricky Gutierrez – his uncle by marriage – then played professional baseball, briefly for the Indians.

So James had the opportunity to witness the glam of professional basketball personally. Ricky was his insider’s guide to professional sports.

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High School Career

Jones lettered four years in basketball at American High School in Hialeah, Florida.

During his senior year, he averaged 25.2 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals, 2.5 assists, and 6 blocks per game. As a result, his team earned First-Team All-State and First-Team All-Dade honors.

In addition, he was selected Class 6A Player of the Year and Miami Herald Boys’ Basketball Player of the Year.

Jones was also named team MVP in his junior and senior years, and he once blocked 16 shots in a single game. 

James Jones: College Career

From 1999 to 2003, Jones was a member of the University of Miami’s Miami Hurricanes.  During his rookie year in 1999, he appeared in 33 games, averaging 1.9 rebounds and 3.9 points per game.

During his sophomore season, the player started all 29 games for the Hurricanes and 31 games, averaging 12.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1.3 steals in his junior season.

As a result, he earned Third-team All-Big East and 2002 Verizon Academic All-District III honors.

Again, in his senior year, he started all 28 games. He earned Honorable Mention All-Big East and Second-team Verizon Academic All-American honors.

From the 2000–01 season through the 2002–03 season, he started 89 straight games.

The player was also a four-time Big East All-Academic pick and the Hurricanes’ first Verizon Academic All-American. Further, in 2014, he was inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame. 

Professional Basketball Career

The player played for 5 teams in his professional NBA career. The Indiana Pacers selected James 49th overall in the 2003 NBA Draft.

In trade for a second-round draft pick in 2008, James joined the Phoenix Suns in 2005.

He was then transferred to the Portland Trail Blazers in exchange for financial considerations in 2007. James concluded his third league with a 44.4 percent completion rate.

Jones opted out of his contract with the Trail Blazers after being dissatisfied that he was not picked for the Three-Point Shooting contest during the 2008 NBA All-Star Game.

Following that, the player inked a contract with his local team, the Miami Heat, in 2008.

He agreed to a 5-year deal with two years of compulsion and three years of player option. He was released from his contract in 2010. However, re-signed later that year.

At the Staples Center in Los Angeles, James won the Three-Point Shootout. The Miami Heat advanced to the NBA Finals in 2011 but were defeated by the Dallas Mavericks.

In 2014, James joined the Cleveland Cavaliers and played the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals, which they lost.

Injuries and Setbacks

During his debut season in 2003–04, James played only 26 total minutes over six games and missed 66 games due to many injuries.

In addition, he had a DNP-CD; i.e., he did not play (due to the) coach’s decision in 10 games. Further, James missed 12 games due to a knee injury from February 4 to February 27.

The player also missed 12 games in November 2007 due to knee injuries, spending five games on the inactive list and seven on a DNP-CD.

Similarly, Jones missed 36 games in 2008 due to right wrist injuries and was a DNP-CD in six others.

During the 2009–10 season, he participated in 36 games, making six starts, and averaged 4.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 14.0 minutes per game. However, he was once again a DNP-CD 35 times.

Further, he also missed one game due to an intestinal infection. Jones was also healthy but missed 10 games due to injury.

Body Measurements and more

The player is athletic and strong, weighing roughly 99 kg. Similarly, the athlete stands 6 feet 8 inches tall.

The player has tattoos carved on his arms. James Jones was born in the year 1980. Therefore, he is 43 years old. Likewise, his zodiac is Libra. 

James Jones’ Relationship with LeBron James

LeBron James and James Jones have a unique bond. From their first championship to bringing one home for The Land, they have been through a lot together.

They initially worked together in 2010-11, when LeBron departed Cleveland for better pastures (and brighter sky) in Miami.

When LeBron arrived, Jones was already there, and the two instantly created a particular relationship.

Jones is LeBron’s “favorite player of all time,” and the feeling is mutual, as LeBron is Jones’ favorite player of all time.

James Jones: Marital Life

James Jones is happily married to his wife, Destiny Jones. The two have 3 children together; two daughters and a son. 

The daughters’ names are Jadynn Alyssa Jones and Jodie Marissa Jones.

Likewise, they have named their son James Dylan Jones.

James Jones Legacy Foundation 

James and his wife Destiny established the James Jones Legacy Foundation because they think that every kid deserves the opportunity to thrive.

The foundation is dedicated to treating every kid that attends one of their programs with dignity and respect.

Similarly, the foundation also works in reassuring children that they are unique in this world and have the power to make a difference in the lives of others as well as their own.

Similarly, the foundation sets the groundwork for a brighter future by developing character and instilling confidence, goals, and, most importantly, hope in young adults. 

The foundation’s curriculum includes school visits, leadership training, self-expression workshops, entrepreneurship, and team building, all while fostering lifetime ties between peers and mentors.

In achieving its objectives, James Jones Legacy Foundation forms alliances with like-minded community stakeholders. It aims to make a meaningful impact in the lives of youngsters who are in danger of becoming victims of today’s society’s pitfalls.

Jones’s Relation with uncle, Donnel Johnson

Growing up, one of the main influencers of James Jones was his uncle, Donnell Johnson. James used to play high school basketball with his cousin, and his Uncle Donnell was one of their assistant coaches.

Uncle Donnel was always available to James. At the age of 13, he used to pick James up and drop him off to play ball.

Since both of James’ parents worked at the jail, their schedules were rigid. So, James gives his uncle Donnell a lot of credit because, without him, he wouldn’t be where he is at present.

James’ uncle Donnell used to drive them to auxiliary gyms in the city or the suburbs where they could play indoors.

James says that his uncle’s actions meant a lot to him, especially at the time when he was striving to grow.

Awards

• 3× NBA champion 
• 2011 NBA Three-Point Contest champion 
• 2002 Third-team All-Big East 
• 2014 Inducted into the University of Miami Sports Hall of Fame
• 2021 NBA Executive of the Year

Facts and Trivia

Jones is a devout Christian. His nicknames include “Champ,” “J. J.”, and “JHoops.” The player is also the managing partner of Jones & Jones Strategic Consulting.

Jones formerly owned James Jones Ventures, an urban redevelopment firm. In 2009, he began holding an annual basketball camp called JHoops Live.

He also organizes the Crew 22 Training Camp. In 2010, Jones participated in the television show Kitchen Nightmares.

Net Worth

The NBA player earned a total of $32,525,458 throughout his career. He also made some additional money through different sponsorship deals.

The player’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 Million. Hence, we can say that the player has now come a long way through. He has earned enough to provide for his wife and kids and live a life of luxury.

FAQs

When was James Jones’ first dunk?

According to the player, he doesn’t remember his first dunk. He says that he has never been a dunk man, even though he was capable of grabbing lobs and such.

Was James Jones always very tall?

When James was around 13 years old, he experienced a significant growth spurt. The player grew four inches in one summer. This improved his height from 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 2 inches.

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