Herbert Jones (basketball)

Jones started playing varsity basketball as a seventh-grader for Sunshine High School in Newbern, Alabama, where his father served as the head coach. He played alongside his older brother, Walter Jr., and helped his team reach the Class 1A state finals in 2015, before the school closed.[1] For his junior season, Jones transferred to Hale County High School in nearby Moundville, Alabama, following his father, who was an assistant coach.[2] As a senior, he averaged 16.6 points, 8.2 rebounds and four assists, earning Class 4A Player of the Year honors.[3] Jones led Hale County to the 4A state championship, its first-ever state title.[4] He committed to playing college basketball for Alabama over offers from Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech and Florida.[5]

As a freshman at Alabama, Jones averaged 4.2 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. He drew a single-season program record 23 charges.[6] In his sophomore season, he averaged 6.4 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.[7] On January 29, 2020, during a game against LSU, Jones suffered a fractured left wrist and underwent surgery three days later. He returned to action on February 12 while wearing a heavy cast on his wrist.[8] In his next game, after three days, Jones recorded six points and 17 rebounds in an 88–82 win over LSU. Late in the game, he made two free throws using only his right hand, due to his injury.[9] As a junior, Jones averaged 7.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game and was a Southeastern Conference (SEC) All-Defensive Team selection. He declared for the 2020 NBA draft before withdrawing and returning to college.[7][10]

Jones is the son of Walter Sr. and Verlander Jones. He was born with hemolytic anemia.[11] His older brother, Walter Jr., played college basketball for Texas–Rio Grande Valley and Alabama A&M.[2]

• Alabama Crimson Tide bio