NBA
HJ
#2

Herbert Jones

Forward · New Orleans Pelicans · 6'7", 206 lb · Born Oct 6, 1998 · Greensboro, Alabama · Drafted 35th overall, 2021
All-Defensive 1st (2024)3-and-D wingHerbPerimeter stopper
NBANew Orleans PelicansForwards
Compare:vs Murrayvs Queenvs Fearsvs Poolevs Beyvs III
In short

Herbert 'Herb' Jones is one of the NBA's premier perimeter defenders — a left-handed 6-foot-7 3-and-D wing for the New Orleans Pelicans. Drafted 35th in 2021 out of Alabama, where he swept SEC Player and Defensive Player of the Year, he made the 2024 All-Defensive First Team and is a versatile, disruptive defender and complementary shooter.

Matchup model · next gameMedium confidenceFri, Nov 13
@Minnesota TimberwolvesDrop coverage
Proj. points
8.8
range 6.1–11.5
Line 9
48%
to go over
Team win
37%
111–114
Poi 8.8 Lean underReb 3.4 Lean underAss 2.8 Lean underPRA 15 Lean over
Likely on himJaden McDaniels· 84 Perimeter DStrong defender
5+ pts90%10+ pts34%

Model lines Jones at 8.8 pts (range 6.1–11.5) vs a 9 line — roughly a coin flip to clear it (48%).

Model favors Minnesota Timberwolves (63%), projected 111–114, ~225 total at 96.5 pace.

Full matchup breakdown · all markets →
Balladex Matchup Model — modeled from real roster ratings, scoring baselines & defender-matchup history. Schedule, availability & head-to-head samples are illustrative in this prototype; production wires live schedule, injury & player-tracking feeds. Not betting advice.
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An elite 3-and-D wing and perimeter stopper — versatile defense and shooting for the Pelicans.

A four-year Alabama star, Jones swept SEC Player and Defensive Player of the Year before being drafted 35th in 2021.

🏫 Alabama · 35th, 2021Greensboro, AL

He made the All-Rookie Second Team as a versatile 3-and-D wing.

All-Rookie 2nd3-and-D

He made the 2024 All-Defensive First Team and finished fifth in DPOY voting.

All-Defensive 1st5th DPOY

A perimeter anchor, he signed a three-year extension.

3 yr / $68M1.6 spg
— end of story —
Want the full numbers? Open the breakdown →
PPG
8.9
2025-26
RPG
3.4
per game
APG
2.8
per game
FG%
.383
.309 from three
LIFE

Roots & the rise

An elite 3-and-D wing and perimeter stopper — versatile defense and shooting for the Pelicans.

Herbert Jones was born in Alabama and, despite being born with a blood condition (hemolytic anemia), became a four-year Alabama standout who in 2021 won both SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year. New Orleans drafted him 35th, and he made the All-Rookie Second Team.

A left-handed 6-foot-7 wing regarded as one of the league's premier perimeter defenders, 'Herb' made the 2024 All-Defensive First Team and finished fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting. He signed a three-year extension, though shoulder surgery ended his 2024-25 season.

Sources: Wikipedia, NBA.com, Basketball-Reference, ESPN.

BEYOND THE GAME

Beyond the game

Jones's story is one of quiet resilience — born with hemolytic anemia, raised in small-town Alabama, and a four-year college player who became one of the rare athletes to win a major conference's Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in the same season. His even-keeled, defense-first identity defines him.

His on-court identity is elite, versatile perimeter defense — a long, left-handed wing who guards multiple positions, generates steals and deflections, and disrupts the opponent's best scorer, paired with complementary catch-and-shoot shooting. His scoring is modest, but his defensive impact makes him a genuine two-way difference-maker and the Pelicans' perimeter anchor.

PERSONALITY

The person

An elite, versatile perimeter defender — disruptive defense and complementary shooting.

Elite defender2024 All-Defensive First Team; guards the opponent's best scorer.
VersatileA long, left-handed wing who guards multiple positions.
ResilientBecame a star despite a lifelong blood condition.
PLAYER DNA

Archetype & ratings

Archetype
Elite Perimeter Defender · 3-and-D
Temperament
Connector
Leadership
58/100
Scoring56
Playmaking45
Rebounding58
Perimeter D84
Rim protection44
Spacing55
Athleticism70
Clutch61
Elite perimeter DLow-usage glueAll-Defense caliber
ANALYSIS

What the numbers say

Elite perimeter defense

Jones's value is elite, versatile perimeter defense — a long, left-handed 6-foot-7 wing who guards multiple positions, generates steals (around 1.6 a game), and disrupts the opponent's best scorer, an All-Defensive First Team pick and top-five DPOY finisher. That defensive impact makes him a genuine two-way difference-maker and the Pelicans' perimeter anchor.

A complementary offense

His scoring is modest (around 10 points a game) and complementary — catch-and-shoot shooting and smart cutting rather than shot creation. His shooting efficiency dipped in 2025-26, and health (a shoulder surgery) is a watch item, but his defense alone is starting-caliber; a rebound in his shooting would make him a complete 3-and-D wing.

STATS

Season by season

Per game

SeasonGPMINPTSREBASTFG%3P%
2025-265628.48.93.42.8.383.309

Source: Basketball-Reference.

ADVANCED

Advanced & historical

Where he sits in history

CollegeSEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year at Alabama in the same season (2021)
2024NBA All-Defensive First Team; fifth in Defensive Player of the Year voting
2025Signed a three-year extension; shoulder surgery ended his 2024-25 season

Hardware

1×
All-Defensive First Team (2024)
1×
All-Rookie Second Team (2022)
OUTLOOK

Where it's headed

AI-generated · updated July 13, 2026

An elite perimeter-defending 3-and-D wing — the Pelicans' defensive anchor.

Jones projects to remain the Pelicans' primary perimeter defensive anchor and a valuable 3-and-D wing on his extension. The main watch items are health (a shoulder surgery ended his 2024-25) and whether his shooting rebounds after a lower-efficiency 2025-26; his elite defense keeps his floor high.

Perimeter defenseElite
VersatilityStrong
Three-point shootingGood
Scoring / healthWatch

Contract

Deal
3 yr / $68M signed 2025
Role
3-and-D wing anchor
Age
27 prime
Bottom line

One of the NBA's premier perimeter defenders — a versatile, disruptive 3-and-D wing and the Pelicans' defensive anchor, with a shooting rebound the key to a fuller two-way game.

FAQ

Quick answers

What is Herbert Jones known for?

Elite perimeter defense — a long, left-handed 6-foot-7 wing who guards the opponent's best scorer, made the 2024 All-Defensive First Team, and adds complementary shooting.

What did Herbert Jones achieve in college?

At Alabama he won both SEC Player of the Year and SEC Defensive Player of the Year in 2021, a rare double.

What is notable about Herbert Jones's background?

He was born with hemolytic anemia, a blood condition, yet became a four-year college star and elite NBA defender.