Curtis Jones Bio
Curtis Jalen Jones (born October 4, 2001) is an American professional basketball player for the Denver Nuggets of the National Basketball Association (NBA), on a two-way contract with the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League. He played college basketball for the Indian Hills Warriors, Buffalo Bulls, and Iowa State Cyclones before turning professional in 2025. Standing 191 cm and weighing 88 kg, Jones is a guard whose path to the NBA ran through three college programs and a strong summer league showing with Denver.
Early Life and Background
Curtis Jalen Jones was born on October 4, 2001, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and grew up in the same city. He attended South High School before transferring to Cretin-Derham Hall High School, where he finished his high school career. Coming out of high school, Jones had no Division I or Division II scholarship offers, a setback that pushed him toward the junior college route.
His time in Minneapolis shaped his early development as a basketball player. Despite the lack of major college offers, Jones continued to work on his game, and his combination of size and skill eventually caught the attention of college coaches at the next level.
Path to Basketball
Jones began his college career at Indian Hills Community College, playing for the Indian Hills Warriors. As a freshman, he averaged 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game, showing a well-rounded skill set as a guard. After that productive season, he transferred to the University at Buffalo to compete for the Buffalo Bulls.
In his first year at Buffalo, Jones averaged 2.5 points and 1.3 assists across 28 games, all off the bench, while adjusting to Division I competition. As a junior, he broke out with averages of 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game, earning Third-team All-MAC honors. After the season, Jones entered the NCAA transfer portal and committed to Iowa State, joining the Cyclones.
Curtis Jones Career
Early Career (2020–2023)
Jones’s early college career began at Indian Hills Community College, where he played for the Warriors during the 2020–21 season. His averages of 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists showed the kind of all-around production that would become a hallmark of his game. The freshman campaign earned him a move to Division I with Buffalo.
At Buffalo, Jones spent two seasons developing his game with the Bulls. After a quiet first year off the bench, he emerged as a key contributor as a junior, posting 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game. That performance earned him Third-team All-MAC recognition and set the stage for his next step in the transfer portal.
Iowa State Breakthrough (2023–2025)
Jones transferred to Iowa State and joined the Cyclones for the 2023–24 season. In his first year in the Big 12, he averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game, contributing as a versatile guard in the Cyclones’ rotation.
As a senior in 2024–25, Jones put together a standout season for Iowa State. He was named First-team All-Big 12 and earned the Big 12 Sixth Man Award, recognition that highlighted his impact off the bench. His play during the season helped cement his status as a professional prospect despite going undrafted.
Denver Nuggets Era (2025–Present)
On June 27, 2025, Jones signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets after going unselected in the 2025 NBA draft. The deal gave him a chance to compete for a roster spot during summer league play.
Following a standout summer league showing, Jones signed a two-way contract with the Nuggets on July 20, 2025. Under the two-way arrangement, he splits time between the NBA roster and the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League, continuing his development within the Denver organization.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones has shown the ability to contribute across multiple categories, with averages that include points, rebounds, and assists at both the junior college and Division I levels. His college production at Buffalo and Iowa State highlighted his skill as a guard who can rebound and facilitate, while his Sixth Man Award at Iowa State reflected the impact he can make in a reserve role.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jones’s senior season at Iowa State stands as a signature stretch of his career, capped by First-team All-Big 12 honors and the Big 12 Sixth Man Award in 2025. His standout summer league performance with Denver led directly to his two-way contract with the Nuggets, marking his transition to the professional ranks.
Curtis Jones Career Wins
Curtis Jalen Jones’s basketball résumé is still in its early stages, with his college achievements serving as the foundation of his career. His postseason and championship totals at the professional level have not yet been established.
Iowa State Highlights
At Iowa State, Jones earned First-team All-Big 12 honors in 2025 and won the Big 12 Sixth Man Award the same season. He averaged 11.0 points, 2.9 rebounds, and 2.0 assists per game in his first year with the Cyclones in 2023–24.
Other Wins & Performances
Jones was named Third-team All-MAC at Buffalo in 2023 after averaging 15.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 3.0 assists per game as a junior. He began his college career at Indian Hills Community College, averaging 12.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, and 5.5 assists per game as a freshman.
Curtis Jones Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Curtis Jalen Jones grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he attended South High School before transferring to Cretin-Derham Hall High School. Further public details about his family and racing lineage are not available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Jones was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on October 4, 2001, and continues to pursue his professional basketball career with the Denver Nuggets organization. Additional details about his personal life are not publicly confirmed.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been the most important of Curtis Jalen Jones’s career. He wrapped up his senior season at Iowa State with First-team All-Big 12 honors and the Big 12 Sixth Man Award, cementing his reputation as one of the Big 12’s top reserves.
After going undrafted in the 2025 NBA draft, Jones signed an Exhibit 10 contract with the Denver Nuggets on June 27, 2025. A standout summer league showing with the Nuggets led to a two-way contract on July 20, 2025, giving him a path between the NBA roster and the Grand Rapids Gold of the NBA G League.
Jones enters the 2025–26 NBA season looking to establish himself within the Denver organization and earn more opportunities at the NBA level. His combination of size, playmaking, and scoring will be key factors in his development as he adjusts to the professional game.