James Jones

James Jones is an American professional basketball executive and former player. James Jones spent 14 years in the National Basketball Association (NBA). The athlete had a long and successful career as a player. With the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers, he won three NBA championships.

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

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

Early Childhood Development and Education

James Jones was born on October 4, 1980, in Miami, Florida. The footballer was raised by his two sisters.

‘The American High School’ was where James went.

In 1999, the footballer enrolled at the University of Miami to further his schooling. At Miami, he majored in finance.

He got a 3.41 grade point average and was a member of the National Honor Society.

James remembers his mother as being tough. She is the wellspring of his violent streak and his brave, mix-it-up, let’s-rumble attitude, according to him.

In James’ first year of high school, balancing basketball and academics was challenging because he didn’t know what to expect. James’ mother gave him some plain advise at the time.

The player once received a C in Civics or something, his only C, and he informed her that balancing it all was difficult.

James’ mother gave him two options: he could give up basketball and still get straight A’s, or he could keep playing. He could also play basketball and earn straight A’s.

As a result, the player recognized he had no choice but to comply.

So he settled down, refocused, and started making lists. The player eventually had both!

Family of Sports

James hails from a female-dominated sporting household. His mother had many sisters, all of whom were athletic, as were their children.

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

His aunt and cousin were both college athletes. Shawn, his cousin, was a member of the men’s team at Marshall.

He also had additional cousins who were college football players. So James’ family was incredibly athletic from top to bottom.

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

Because his stepfather was a member of the men’s squad, James played against both the women’s and men’s correctional officer teams as a kid.

James’ two sisters were also volleyball players in high school.

His brother was also a football player in high school. James, on the other hand, chose to focus on basketball.

Ricky Gutierrez, James’ uncle by marriage and Lisa’s husband, played professional baseball briefly for the Indians.

As a result, James was able to witness firsthand the glitz and glam of professional basketball. Ricky served as his professional sports insider.

Body Measurements and more

James Jones 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. Jones was born in the year 1980.

Therefore, he is 41 years old. Likewise, his zodiac is Libra.

Facts of James Jones

Net Worth

James Jones’s net worth is estimated to be around $50 Million.

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

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.

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.

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.

Relationship with LeBron James

LeBron James and 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.

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.

Legacy Foundation

James and his wife Destiny established the James 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, 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.

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Relation with uncle, Donnel Johnson

Growing up, one of the main influencers of James 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.