The newest member of the San Antonio Spurs was born just days after the new millennium. The Apple Valley, Minnesota native played varsity high school ball starting in the 8th grade and was a starter by his Freshman year. During high school, Jones racked up two Minnesota Gatorade Player of the Year accolades as well as the McDonald’s All-American and Minnesota Mr. Basketball honors in his senior year.
He then took his talents to Duke University where he made the ACC All-Freshman team and ACC All-Defensive Team in his first season with the Blue Devils. As a sophomore, Jones once again made the ACC All-Defensive Team and added ACC Player of the Year, ACC Defensive Player of the Year, First-team All-ACC, and was named to the Third-team All-American by Associated Press, the United States Basketball Writers Association, and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.