The following is a press release from Alabama Athletics.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Former Alabama standout Herbert Jones has signed a three-year contract with the New Orleans Pelicans, the organization announced Monday. Jones’ three-year deal with 5.4 million dollars is the second-largest contract ever signed by a player who was drafted in the second round of the NBA Draft.
Jones has shined in NBA Summer League play, showing his versatility across the Pelicans’ four games. The Greensboro, Ala., native is averaging 7.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, 1.8 assists, 1.8 steals and 1.3 blocks in 21.7 minutes per contest. His plus/minus total of +12 across four games is tied for 14th best among all players competing in the Vegas Summer League.
HEAD COACH NATE OATS COMMENTS
“What a tremendous achievement for Herb. He has worked so hard to make his dream come true and now to see it come to fruition is incredible. New Orleans knew what they were getting when they drafted Herb, but I think he has shown how much value he can bring to their organization. He does everything the right way – high character, great teammate, incredible work ethic, high IQ, and so on. I could not be happier for him and his family.”
HERBERT JONES BIO
- Selected No. 35 overall to the New Orleans Pelicans
- Marked the second consecutive year the Pelicans have drafted an Alabama player, taking Kira Lewis Jr. at No. 13 overall in the first round of the 2020 NBA Draft
- Named AP All-American (Third Team), SEC Player of the Year, SEC Defensive Player of the Year, First Team All-SEC and All-Defensive Team
- Finished his career with 129 games played (101 starts) while collecting 947 points, 630 rebounds, 285 assists, 167 steals and 98 blocked shots
- Subsequently named to the All-SEC First Team (Coaches, AP and USA Today) and All-SEC All-Defensive Team
- Named as a finalist for the Naismith Award Men’s Defensive Player of the Year
- Earned USBWA and NABC First Team All-District honors and was selected as the USBWA District IV Player of the Year
- Earned a team-leading 17 Hard Hat Awards, which is given to the player with the most Blue Collar Points at the end of each game
- Led the team in Blue Collar Points (667), deflections (110), floor dives (23), and-1s (7-of-10) and dunks (19)
- Finished the year leading the team in rebounding (6.6 rpg), assists (3.3 apg), steals (1.7 spg) and blocks (1.1 bpg) while ranking fourth on the team in scoring average (11.2 ppg)
- Also topped the team in offensive rebounds (2.5 orpg)
- Led UA with nine games of five or more assists this season, while leading the team in rebounding 17 times, assists 14 games, steals 14 times and blocks on 14 occasions which are all team-best number
- Reached double figures in 19 of 33 games
- Had a career night vs. Georgia, accounting for a career-best 21 points to go along with five rebounds, four assists and three blocks (2/13)
- Matched that scoring output by going for 21 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals in the SEC semifinal win over Tennessee (3/13)
- Accounted for 20 points, six rebounds and three steals in the NCAA Tournament first round win over Iona (3/20)
- Recorded a career-high four blocks along with 13 points, 11 rebounds, six assists and the game-winning layup in the SEC Championship win over LSU (3/14)
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