Terrence Jones

Terrence Alexander Jones (born January 9, 1992) is an American professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans of the National Basketball Association (NBA). He played college basketball for the University of Kentucky.

Jones was ranked the #8 player in the class of 2010 by Scout.com, the #9 player in the ESPNU 100, and the #13 player by Rivals.com. Jones led Jefferson High School to three straight Oregon class 5A state championships between his sophomore and senior years. As a junior in 2008–09, he averaged 32 points, 13 rebounds, five assists, three blocks and three steals per game. As a senior in 2009–10, he averaged 30.0 points, 14.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game.

On January 20, 2010, he was named in the Junior National Select Team to compete in the 2010 Nike Hoop Summit at the Rose Garden in Portland, Oregon on April 10. He was also selected to play in the 2010 McDonald's All-American Game and the 2010 Jordan Brand Classic. As a senior in 2009–10, he averaged 30 points, 14 rebounds and six assists per game.

Jones committed to Washington on April 30, 2010, but did not sign a National Letter of Intent. He ended up changing his mind and on May 19, 2010, he signed a financial aid agreement with Kentucky instead of a letter of intent.

Jones had 25 points and 12 rebounds in his debut with Kentucky in a win vs. East Tennessee State. Jones and Doron Lamb became the first freshman duo in UK history to score 20 points in a debut.

On January 11, 2011, Jones came off the bench for the first time in 2010–11 after not being able to participate in that day's practice due to illness. That night, he broke the UK freshman single-game scoring record, putting up 35 points on 11-of-17 shooting against Auburn University. This came just one month after teammate Doron Lamb set the record with 32 points. The Wildcats advanced to the 2011 Final Four but ended up losing by one point to the University of Connecticut. Jones and Lamb decided to stay a second year at Kentucky instead of enter the NBA draft with freshmen Brandon Knight, Enes Kanter, junior DeAndre Liggins, and senior Josh Harrellson. As a freshman, he averaged 15.7 points, 8.8 rebounds, 1.6 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.9 blocks per game.

Entering his sophomore year, Jones was part of what was considered one of "the most highly anticipated" Kentucky basketball teams of all time based on pre-season hype, recruit expectations, and existing talent. On October 26, 2011, Jones participated in Kentucky's annual Blue vs. White scrimmage, scoring a school-record 52 points. In 2011–12, he averaged 12.3 points and 7.2 rebounds in 38 game (34 starts). In the NCAA tournament that season, Jones helped Kentucky win their eighth national championship.

In April 2012, Jones was one of six Wildcats to enter the NBA draft, along with Anthony Davis, Michael Kidd-Gilchrist, Marquis Teague, Doron Lamb, and Darius Miller. All six players were drafted, setting a record for most players from one school drafted in the NBA draft.

College statistics

Houston Rockets (2012–2016)

Jones was selected by the Houston Rockets with the 18th overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft. During his rookie season, he had multiple assignments with the Rio Grande Valley Vipers of the NBA Development League. On February 4, 2013, Jones was named to the Prospects All-Star roster for the 2013 NBA D-League All-Star Game. However, he was replaced by Chris Wright because he was later recalled by the Rockets and thus was not an "active" player on a D-League roster.

On January 18, 2014, Jones scored a career-high 36 points, along with 11 rebounds and 2 blocks, in a 114–104 win over the Milwaukee Bucks. He became the second youngest Rocket to score 30 points or more behind Hakeem Olajuwon.

After playing the first four games of the 2014–15 season, Jones went on to miss the next 41 games due to nerve inflammation in his left leg. He returned to action on January 28, 2015 against the Dallas Mavericks. On February 27, 2015, he scored a season-high 26 points in a 102-98 win over the Brooklyn Nets. He later missed six games in late March with a partially collapsed lung.

Jones again had an injury plagued season in 2015–16, going out in the preseason with a concussion and during the season with a lacerated eyelid and stitches that scratched his eye. Then on February 3, 2016, Jones crashed into another vehicle on his way to the Rockets' flight to Phoenix, remained in the hospital for two days of tests, and was out for the remaining three games before the All-Star break. He returned to action on February 23, but lasted just four games before being deactivated indefinitely on March 2 due to a respiratory illness. On the court, Jones began the season as the starter at power forward with Donatas Motiejūnas out injured. But after 11 games, he was replaced in the starting lineup by Clint Capela.

New Orleans Pelicans (2016–present)

On July 22, 2016, Jones signed with the New Orleans Pelicans. On November 16, 2016, he scored a then season-high 26 points while starting in place of the injured Anthony Davis in an 89–82 loss to the Orlando Magic. On January 23, 2017, he tied his career high with 36 points in a 124–122 win over the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Regular season

Playoffs

Jones' cousins include former NBA players Damon and Salim Stoudamire.

In July 2013, Jones was arrested for allegedly stomping on a homeless man who was sleeping outside a nightclub in Portland, Oregon. He was charged with harassment, a Class B misdemeanor, and released on his own recognizance.