Colby Jones Bio
Colby Everette Jones (born May 28, 2002) is an American professional basketball player who most recently played for the Detroit Pistons of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Xavier Musketeers before being selected in the first round of the 2023 NBA Draft. Standing 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighing 206 pounds, Jones is a versatile guard-forward whose career has spanned multiple franchises in his first two professional seasons.
Early Life and Background
Colby Everette Jones was born on May 28, 2002, in Birmingham, Alabama. He grew up in a family with deep ties to basketball. His father, Chad Jones, played college basketball for the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). His older brother, C. J., played basketball for both Arkansas and Middle Tennessee in college before launching his own professional career, giving Colby an early and sustained connection to the sport.
Jones attended Pinson Valley High School in Pinson, Alabama, where he quickly developed into a standout prospect. As a sophomore, he averaged 23.9 points, 7.9 rebounds, and 3.9 assists per game, establishing himself as one of the top young players in the state.
After a coaching change at Pinson, Jones transferred to Mountain Brook High School in Mountain Brook, Alabama, to play his junior season under coach Bucky McMillan. He averaged 14 points, five rebounds, and three assists per game as a junior, playing alongside Trendon Watford and helping the Spartans win their third consecutive Class 7A state title. In his senior year, Jones took on a leading role and averaged 25.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 3.2 assists, and 2.5 steals per game, guiding Mountain Brook to a Class 7A runner-up finish. He earned Over the Mountain Journal Player of the Year, All-South Metro Player of the Year, and Alabama Class 7A Player of the Year honors.
Path to Professional Basketball
Recognized as a four-star recruit, Jones had offers from several major programs, including Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, and UAB, but ultimately committed to Xavier, where he would have the opportunity to develop in the Big East Conference. His high school accolades and versatility as a scoring wing made him a priority recruit for the Musketeers.
Jones arrived at Xavier in 2020 and was forced to miss the first five games of his freshman season due to COVID-19 contact tracing protocols. He made an immediate impact upon returning, hitting a game-winning three-pointer in the final second of a 74–73 victory over Providence on January 10, 2021. On February 16, he scored a season-high 20 points with six rebounds in a 93–84 loss to St. John’s. As a freshman, he averaged 7.7 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 2.9 assists per game and was selected to the Big East All-Freshman Team.
As a junior in 2021–22, Jones helped lead Xavier to the NIT championship and was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player. In 2022–23, he was recognized as a Second-team All-Big East selection, capping a college career that positioned him as a legitimate NBA prospect entering the 2023 draft.
Colby Jones Career
Sacramento / Stockton Kings (2023–2025)
Jones was selected 34th overall by the Charlotte Hornets in the 2023 NBA Draft. During the draft, the Boston Celtics acquired his draft rights and subsequently traded him to the Sacramento Kings in exchange for the draft rights to Jordan Walsh and a 2024 second-round pick. Throughout his rookie and sophomore seasons, Jones was assigned multiple times to the Stockton Kings, Sacramento’s NBA G League affiliate, where he continued to refine his game.
Jones made 30 appearances for Sacramento during the 2023–24 NBA season, averaging 2.1 points, 1.3 rebounds, and 0.7 assists per game. In 2024–25, he played in 39 contests for the Kings, averaging 1.1 points, 1.0 rebound, and 0.3 assists per game, continuing to develop within the organization’s system.
Washington Wizards (2025)
On February 6, 2025, Jones was traded to the Washington Wizards in a multi-team deal. He appeared in 15 games for the Wizards, averaging 8.7 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.5 assists per game, providing a noticeable scoring uptick compared to his limited role in Sacramento.
Detroit Pistons / Motor City Cruise (2025)
On June 28, 2025, Jones was traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder in exchange for Dillon Jones and a 2029 second-round pick. He was waived by the Thunder the same day. On July 29, Jones signed a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons, linking him to the Motor City Cruise. He made one appearance for the Pistons, recording two points and four rebounds in a 95–116 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on October 27. On November 10, Jones was waived by Detroit following the signing of Wendell Moore Jr.
Colby Jones Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Colby Everette Jones comes from a family with strong basketball roots. His father, Chad Jones, played college basketball at UAB, and his older brother, C. J., played collegiately at both Arkansas and Middle Tennessee before pursuing a professional career. Growing up around the game provided Colby with a clear pathway into competitive basketball from a young age.
Personal Life
Jones maintains close family ties and is known publicly primarily through his professional career. He is active on social media, where fans can follow his ongoing journey in professional basketball.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year marked a transitional period in Colby Everette Jones’s career. In February 2025, he was traded to the Washington Wizards, where he posted his most productive NBA numbers to date, averaging 8.7 points across 15 appearances. The trade provided him with a larger role and a chance to demonstrate the offensive versatility he had shown throughout his development.
Jones continued his movement between rosters over the summer, being traded to the Oklahoma City Thunder on June 28 before being waived the same day. He quickly found a new opportunity, signing a two-way contract with the Detroit Pistons on July 29, which paired him with the Motor City Cruise of the NBA G League for additional playing time and development.
His lone appearance with Detroit came on October 27, when he recorded two points and four rebounds in a loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers. Following the Pistons’ signing of Wendell Moore Jr., Jones was waived on November 10, leaving his 2025–26 status uncertain as he looks for his next professional opportunity.