Skip to content
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • The Alabama Baptist
  • The Baptist Paper
  • Log In
  • Subscribe
  • Renew
  • Donate
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
The Baptist Paper
Search
Close this search box.
  • Latest News
  • SBC 2023
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial
  • Latest News
  • SBC 2023
  • Your state news
  • Classifieds
  • Request a free trial

NBA center Jones developing Christian walk alongside hoop skills

  • May 29, 2021
  • Bill Sorrell
  • Featured, Latest News, National News, Sports
Damian Jones (dunking) played for the Atlanta Hawks during the 2019 NBA season.
(Photo by Scott Cunningham — NBAE/Getty Images)

NBA center Jones developing Christian walk alongside hoop skills

From hoop dreams in high school to playing for some of the hottest teams in the NBA, basketball has taken Damian Jones a long way.

“The journey isn’t over. I keep on working,” said Jones, who was most recently with the Sacramento Kings.

Whether a high school state championship in Louisiana or two NBA championships with the Golden State Warriors, Jones has always enjoyed “cutting down the nets,” a tradition after a basketball win, and hopes to get another chance to do that as an NBA player.

Jones got Vanderbilt University’s attention while playing at Scotlandville Magnet High School in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he was a Rivals.com 4-star recruit and averaged 15.4 points, eight rebounds, four blocks and two assists as a senior.

At Vanderbilt, he played 99 games, averaging 13.3 points, 6.4 rebounds and finishing second in school career blocks with 167. His 56.6 percentage from the field was third best in Vanderbilt history.

After being First-Team All-SEC at Vanderbilt his sophomore and junior seasons and helping the Commodores secure an NCAA tournament berth in 2016, Jones was drafted by Golden State in the first round of the 2016 NBA Draft (No. 30 overall). During 49 games with the Warriors over three seasons from 2016 to 2019, Jones averaged 5.4 points and 2.3 rebounds. He was the starting center for 22 games in 2019.

Through professional basketball, Jones, who was traded to the Atlanta Hawks in 2019 and spent time with the Phoenix Suns and Los Angeles Lakers before being signed by the Kings in April, has been able to share his faith and provide a platform for “trying to live the right way and share the good life with others,” he said.

His faith is always in mind.

“Any tough time I have been through, I have to rely on faith and continue to read the Word and pray. That was always a part of me,” said Jones, who was taken to church by his parents, David and Dana Jones, while growing up in Baton Rouge. He is a member of Living Word Church and was baptized there in his early teens.

“I needed Jesus. He is everything, salvation. [And] after death, we get to go to heaven,” he said.

While playing for the Hawks, Jones and teammate forward/center Bruno Fernando attended pre-game chapel services.

“We [would] call on each other and make sure we [didn’t] miss chapel,” said Fernando, who said he often saw Jones’ faith in action.

“He is a person who believes in God. He follows … the testaments of the Bible,” Fernando said. “To see him live through that every single day, being able to see him make his devotions to the Lord, being able to be that person is a reminder for us in the locker room.”

Jones is encouraged by his mother, who sends him Bible verses daily.

Recent roles

Playing for the Hawks allowed him to be back in the South and closer to family.

During the 2019–2020 season Jones averaged 5.6 points and 3.7 rebounds in 55 games.

In November 2020, Jones signed a contract with the Suns.

In 14 games with the Suns, he averaged 1.6 points and 1.3 rebounds per game.

When he was waived by the Suns  earlier this year, he spent time on a short-term contract with the Lakers before being signed by the Kings.

Jones’ athleticism is his strength.

“His presence at the rim being a shot-blocker, big-time lob [a type of pass] threat, he fits our system really well, being able to catch and finish a lot of lobs,” Kevin Huerter, former teammate with the Hawks, said.

Another of his strengths is bonding with teammates.

“I get along with people well. I’ve just really clicked,” said Jones, who tries to help others by community outreach activities.

Even with the type of income that comes with playing in the NBA, Jones said he wants to stay focused on his faith.

“You try to stick to it,” he said. “I try to keep pushing my faith and keep on going.”

Share with others:

Facebook
Twitter
LinkedIn
Email

Latest News

  • NextGen teams ‘on front lines of lostness,’ reaching nations with gospel
    NextGen teams ‘on front lines of lostness,’ reaching nations with gospel
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Sixteen members of Nigerian church released after being kidnapped
    Sixteen members of Nigerian church released after being kidnapped
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments
  • Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson dies at 93
    Christian broadcaster Pat Robertson dies at 93
    June 8, 2023/
    0 Comments

Sign up for the Highlights

Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month.
Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

Related Posts

Rashional Thoughts: Could a positive national pastime be the answer we need?

My friend Wendy loves Major League Baseball, and I’m talking the full extent of support. She can watch hours and hours of games on TV

Racer’s ‘momager’ takes comfort in God’s provision, plays role of supporter and critic

Kimmie Serrano expects to spend Mother’s Day weekend like she spends a lot of others — cheering on her favorite Indy driver, her son Sting

IMB reaching thousands of coaches in Central Asia

Growing up, sports were a huge part of International Mission Board worker Wes Blakely’s world. In high school he lettered in three sports. He continued

Arkansas softball player uses athletic skills to shine ‘the light of Jesus’

Hannah Gammill is well known at the University of Arkansas for her athleticism on the field, playing third base for Razorbacks softball.  It also is

Want to receive news highlights throughout the week? Sign up here!

Email is required Email is not valid
Thanks for your subscription.
Failed to subscribe, please contact admin.

About

  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us
  • Our Story
  • Our Team
  • Our Partners
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Contact us

Explore

  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • State-specific news
  • Archive
  • Opinion pieces
  • Sunday School lessons
  • Persecuted Church
  • Podcasts
  • Videos

Submissions

  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy
  • Story suggestions
  • Your Voice/Letter to the Editor
  • Photos / Videos
  • Corrections/other
  • Submission Policy

Subscribe

  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
  • Subscribe
  • Renew subscription
  • Gift a subscription
  • Start a new member subscription
  • Start a new group subscription
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Hosted Church
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Request free trial
The Baptist Paper
Address:
3310 Independence Dr.
Birmingham, AL 35209
Copyright © 2023 TAB Media Group
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ
  • Privacy/Terms of Use
  • Help
  • FAQ

Email:
news@thebaptistpaper.org

  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Latest News
  • Trending
  • Editorials
  • Archive
  • Your state news
  • Opinions
  • Podcasts
  • Videos
  • Persecuted Church
  • Submit your news
  • Photo Galleries
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us
  • Our Team
  • Manage your group
  • Manage your account
  • Subscribe
  • Start a new subscription at the group rate
  • Advertise and Promote
  • Classifieds
  • Hosted Church
  • Donate
  • Contact us

Log Out?

Lost your password?

Log In

Lost your password?

Log in

Become a part of our community!
Forgot your password? Get help
Privacy/Terms of Use

Reset password

Recover your password
A password reset link will be e-mailed to you.
Privacy/Terms of Use
Back to
Login
×
Close Panel