Derrick Jones Jr. Bio
Derrick Labrent Jones Jr. (born February 15, 1997) is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Clippers of the National Basketball Association (NBA). Listed at 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) and 210 lb (95 kg), he plays the small forward and power forward positions. He is nicknamed “Airplane Mode” because of his dunking ability and is widely known for winning the NBA Slam Dunk Contest in 2020.
Jones played one season of college basketball for the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels before declaring for the 2016 NBA draft, where he went undrafted. Since then, he has played for the Phoenix Suns, Miami Heat, Portland Trail Blazers, Chicago Bulls, and Dallas Mavericks. He has continued to be valued across the league for his athleticism, defense, and high-flying finishes at the rim.
Early Life and Background
Derrick Labrent Jones Jr. was born on February 15, 1997, in Chester, Pennsylvania. He grew up in a close family and has one brother and two sisters. His upbringing in the Philadelphia area shaped his early love for basketball and gave him regular access to competitive leagues and showcases throughout Southeastern Pennsylvania.
He attended Archbishop John Carroll High School in Radnor, Pennsylvania, where he played under coach Paul Romanczuk. As a senior in 2014–15, he was named the Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year, the Delaware County Player of the Year, the PIAA Triple-A Player of the Year, and a first-team All-Catholic League selection. That season, he averaged 19.2 points, 10.1 rebounds, and 2.3 blocks per game, and he scored 30 points with 18 rebounds and five blocks in the state tournament semifinals.
Jones finished his high school career as the all-time leading scorer at Archbishop Carroll, with 1,645 points, 1,029 rebounds, and 268 blocked shots. His dominant senior season also earned him the 2015 Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball award, marking him as one of the top prep prospects in the state.
Path to Basketball
After high school, Jones joined the UNLV Runnin’ Rebels for the 2015–16 NCAA season. Although the NCAA Eligibility Center asked the ACT to investigate a test score from a site in Baltimore, Maryland, he was cleared in time for UNLV’s first game in November. He went on to become UNLV’s second-leading scorer that season, averaging 11.5 points on 58.9 percent shooting and 4.5 rebounds across 30 games, including four double-doubles and a 26-point, 10-rebound performance against Chaminade at the Maui Invitational Tournament.
His college season ended abruptly on February 29, 2016, when the ACT cancelled his score and the NCAA ruled him ineligible for the final three games. Even so, his single year at UNLV was enough to convince NBA teams of his raw talent. On April 7, 2016, he declared for the 2016 NBA draft, hired an agent later that month, and committed fully to the professional route.
Jones went undrafted in 2016 and joined the Sacramento Kings for NBA Summer League, but a groin injury kept him off the floor. On September 25, 2016, he signed with the Phoenix Suns for training camp and earned an opening-night roster spot, beginning his journey in the NBA.
Derrick Jones Jr. Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Jones made his NBA debut against the Philadelphia 76ers on November 19, 2016, playing close to home in his home state. He recorded his first field goal on December 15, 2016, finishing with three points in three minutes against the San Antonio Spurs. Most of his 2016–17 minutes came with the Northern Arizona Suns of the NBA Development League, where Phoenix sent him to gain experience.
Despite limited NBA minutes, he was selected for the 2017 NBA Slam Dunk Contest as a rookie and advanced to the final round before losing to Glenn Robinson III. He recorded his first NBA start on March 11, 2017, against the Dallas Mavericks and posted his first double-digit scoring game with 13 points versus the Atlanta Hawks on March 28. His career high as a Sun came on April 9, 2017, when he scored 15 points in a win over Dallas. Phoenix waived him on December 7, 2017, after 38 games with the club.
Miami Heat Era (2017–2020)
On December 31, 2017, Jones signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat, splitting time between the Heat and their G League affiliate, the Sioux Falls Skyforce. He made his first Heat start on January 9, 2018, finishing with eight points, five rebounds, one assist, and two blocks in 28 minutes against the Toronto Raptors. His energy on both ends earned him a standard deal, and on July 1, 2018, he signed a 2-year, $3.2 million contract.
Jones became a household name during the 2020 NBA All-Star Weekend, when he won the Slam Dunk Contest over Aaron Gordon. After both dunkers earned perfect scores through overtime, Jones took off just past the free throw line for a windmill dunk that scored a 48, edging Gordon’s 47 over 7-foot-6-inch Tacko Fall. On August 14, 2020, he was stretchered off the court with a neck strain after a collision with Indiana’s Goga Bitadze, but the Heat still reached the 2020 NBA Finals before losing in six games to the Los Angeles Lakers.
Portland Trail Blazers (2020–2021)
On November 22, 2020, Jones signed a 2-year, $19 million contract with the Portland Trail Blazers. He brought his trademark athleticism to the Pacific Northwest, serving as a high-energy wing who finished above the rim and defended multiple positions. His single full season in Portland highlighted his growth as a rotation player on a competitive Western Conference roster.
Chicago Bulls (2021–2023)
On August 28, 2021, Jones was acquired by the Chicago Bulls in a three-team sign-and-trade also involving the Cleveland Cavaliers. His Chicago stint was marked by injuries: a right knee bone bruise in January 2022 cost him several weeks, and a fractured right index finger during a workout on January 25, 2022, added more missed time. On July 6, 2022, he re-signed with the Bulls on a two-year, $6.6 million contract, but on June 21, 2023, he declined his $3.36 million player option to enter free agency.
Dallas Mavericks (2023–2024)
On August 18, 2023, Jones signed with the Dallas Mavericks and debuted on October 25, 2023, in a 126–119 win over the San Antonio Spurs. He initially came off the bench but earned a starting role because of his elite defense and impact plays. During the 2024 playoffs, his shot-blocking, perimeter defense, and rebounding helped Dallas reach the NBA Finals, where he often guarded the opposing team’s best player, including Paul George, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, and Anthony Edwards. He also showed a more confident outside shot and became a reliable cutter as the Mavericks reached the NBA Finals before losing to the Boston Celtics in five games.
Los Angeles Clippers Era (2024–Present)
On July 10, 2024, Jones signed with the Los Angeles Clippers. He continues to be deployed as a high-energy small forward and power forward who finishes above the rim, defends multiple positions, and brings veteran playoff experience to a Clippers roster built around versatility and depth.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jones is best known as an above-the-rim finisher whose dunks earned him the “Airplane Mode” nickname. Defensively, his combination of length, quickness, and bounce allows him to guard wings and bigger forwards alike, while his offensive game has steadily expanded to include spot-up three-point shooting and backdoor cuts.
Notable Events and Milestones
His signature moment came at the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest, where his free-throw-line windmill sealed a 48–47 win over Aaron Gordon. He also reached the NBA Finals twice, with the Miami Heat in 2020 and the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, and was named Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball in 2015.
Derrick Jones Jr. Career Wins
Jones does not hold a traditional major championship title, but his most celebrated individual win is the 2020 NBA Slam Dunk Contest championship. Across his NBA career, he has added consistent winning contributions as a rotation player on playoff teams in Miami and Dallas, while his 2015 Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball award remains his most prestigious pre-professional honor.
NBA Slam Dunk Contest Highlights
Jones first reached the Slam Dunk Contest final round in 2017 as a Phoenix Sun, finishing as runner-up to Glenn Robinson III. Three years later, in 2020, he returned to the contest as a member of the Miami Heat and defeated Aaron Gordon in one of the most memorable dunk duels in league history. He remains one of the few undrafted players to win the event.
Other Wins & Performances
As a senior at Archbishop John Carroll, Jones was named Southeastern Pennsylvania Player of the Year, Delaware County Player of the Year, PIAA Triple-A Player of the Year, and first-team All-Catholic League in 2014–15. He was also selected as the 2015 Mr. Pennsylvania Basketball and finished as the all-time leading scorer in Archbishop Carroll history.
Derrick Jones Jr. Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jones grew up in Chester, Pennsylvania, with one brother and two sisters. His family supported his basketball development throughout his青少年 years, and his Philadelphia-area roots remain a frequent reference point in his career story.
Personal Life
In January 2023, Jones became engaged to his girlfriend during the Chicago Bulls’ trip to Paris to play the Detroit Pistons. He continues to be recognized by fans for his “Airplane Mode” persona and his high-flying highlight finishes.
2025 Season Performance
Entering the 2025 season, Jones is in his first full year with the Los Angeles Clippers after signing on July 10, 2024. The Clippers added him to bolster their wing depth, defensive versatility, and above-the-rim finishing around a contending core. His role continues to center on energy minutes as a small forward and power forward who can switch across multiple matchups.
Coming off an NBA Finals run with the Dallas Mavericks in 2024, Jones has carried playoff-tested experience into the Clippers’ rotation. His value to the team is expected to come from perimeter defense, second-chance rebounds, and transition dunks, rather than primary shot creation. Coaches have pointed to his professionalism and locker-room presence as additional assets during a tightly contested Western Conference season.
With the Clippers aiming for a deep playoff push in 2025, Jones is positioned as a key role player whose athleticism, defense, and finishing could swing tight playoff games. Continued improvement on his outside shot would further raise his ceiling as a two-way contributor for Los Angeles.