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Damian Jones (basketball)

Damian William Jones (born June 30, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was selected in the first round of the 2016 NBA draft by the Golden State Warriors with the 30th overall pick. Jones is a two-time NBA champion, having won both with Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

High school career

Jones attended Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana where he averaged 15.4 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 blocks, and 2.0 assists as a senior. Jones was rated by Rivals.com as a four-star recruit and committed to Vanderbilt University.

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. He 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 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 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 Golden State Warriors 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. On February 1, 2017, in his first game for the Warriors at Oracle Arena, Jones scored his first career NBA points in a 126–111 victory over the Charlotte Hornets. He appeared in 10 regular-season games and four playoff games during the 2016–17 season. The Warriors won the 2017 NBA Finals after defeating the Cleveland Cavaliers in five games. The Warriors finished the playoffs with a 16–1 record, the best postseason winning percentage in NBA history.

The 2017–18 season saw Jones appear in 15 regular-season games and four playoff games, as the Warriors returned to the NBA Finals, where they won their second straight championship over the Cavaliers in a four-game sweep. During his first two seasons, Jones received multiple assignments to the Santa Cruz Warriors, Golden State's G League 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. He initially was ruled out for the season after undergoing surgery to repair the muscle. Jones returned to action during the Western Conference Finals. The Warriors went on to reach the 2019 NBA Finals, where they lost to the Toronto Raptors in six games.

Atlanta Hawks (2019–2020)

On July 8, 2019, Jones and with a 2026 second-round pick were traded to the Atlanta Hawks in exchange for Omari Spellman.

Phoenix Suns (2020–2021)

On November 30, 2020, Jones signed a two-year deal with the Phoenix Suns. 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 Los Angeles Lakers. On March 11, the Lakers signed him to another 10-day contract.

Sacramento Kings (2021–2022)

On April 7, 2021, Jones signed a 10-day contract with the Sacramento Kings. He signed a second one 10 days later. On April 28, Jones signed a multi-year deal with the Kings after appearing in six games, including two starts.

Return to the Lakers (2022–2023)

On July 1, 2022, Jones signed a two-year deal with the Los Angeles Lakers.

Utah Jazz (2023)

On February 9, 2023, Jones was traded to the Utah Jazz in a three-team trade involving the Minnesota Timberwolves. He made his Jazz debut on February 15, recording seven points, two rebounds and two blocks in a 117–111 loss to the Memphis Grizzlies.

On June 20, 2023, Jones exercised his $2.59 million player option to return to the Jazz for the 2023–24 season.