Herbert Jones is the epitome of versatility in the modern NBA.

The 6-foot-7 26-year-old for the New Orleans Pelicans can’t be confined to a traditional position. He is proficient at everything he does on the court and excels on defense. Jones makes all the right plays — winning plays. 

Every team is looking for a Jones-esque player to win championships with. He won’t be the star player. His jersey won’t be a bestseller around the league — let alone the bestseller for his own team — but he makes plays that contribute to banner-hoisting. 

Yet, Jones hasn’t gotten the recognition he deserves. He’s the type that seems to slide under the radar despite his ability to be everywhere on the court. 

A Greensboro, Alabama native, Jones played college hoops at his hometown University of Alabama. Although he didn’t record eye-catching stats, — he never averaged more than 12 points per game — he racked up impressive accolades throughout his collegiate career. 

Jones earned SEC All-Defensive team honors in his junior year and SEC Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year his senior year. Jones and the Crimson Tide rolled their way to an SEC title in 2021 to end his Alabama tenure. 

While the SEC is a powerhouse in football, its basketball teams don’t carry the same reputation. Thus, Jones fell to the second round of the 2021 NBA Draft. 

William Guillory, a reporter for the Athletic who covers the Pelicans, said he remembers talking to Jones shortly after the Pelicans selected him. 

“For us in the media, doing interviews with the second-round picks, you’re not sure if this is the first and last time you ever talk to one of these guys,” Guillory said. “It wasn’t clear that he was going to become ‘Not on Herb’ so we didn’t have a ton of questions for him. He just seemed very grateful for the opportunity and very focused on who he was.”   

The Pelicans quickly discovered just what a steal they got; Jones started 69 games his rookie season en route to an underdog playoff appearance for New Orleans. 

Jones and his squad put up a tough fight and became the darlings of the NBA community but ultimately lost to the No. 1 seed Phoenix Suns. “Straitjacket,” as he is known by fans due to his ruthless defense, earned All-Rookie Second Team honors.

“The playoff series against the Suns and his fearlessness in that series was something that stood out to a lot of people,” Guillory said. 

Since his rookie season, Jones has shown consistent improvement and has become a core piece of the Pelicans franchise. Although the organization is currently undergoing a rebuild, with reports of the front office aiming to trade star Zion Williamson, Jones has been a consistent force for New Orleans over the past few seasons. 

His talent is undeniable. Jones is tasked with guarding the best player on opposing teams. Opposing teams scheme to switch Jones off their best player. It’s like a game of cat and mouse. And Jones is a lion. 

Rod Walker, a sports columnist for the Times-Picayune in New Orleans, emphasized Jones’ defensive prowess. 

“His defense is something he takes a lot of pride in,” Walker said. “He’s so good at it sometimes it’s almost hard to say that he’s gotten better, but he’s definitely improved in that area.” 

His defense is elite, but Walker believes it’s the little things Jones does that makes him such a valuable player in the league. 

“Herb is a guy who you have to watch play several games to really appreciate what he does,” Walker said. 

Following the 2022-23 season, The Pelicans rewarded Jones with a four-year $54 million contract — roughly $13.5 million a year. While this number is a lot for the average person, Jones is the fifth highest paid player on his team. Around the league, this is the typical salary for an average starter or a high-end bench player. 

The number fits what Jones is now after his fourth NBA season. However, the Pelicans retained him on a bargain deal, locking him in long term on a team-friendly contract in anticipation of what he can be in the future. 

Jones is already starting to show flashes of the player he can become. He was named to the All-Defensive first team following the 2023-24 season, yet he’s only scratching the surface.

It’s known that his ability to anticipate plays and create turnovers lead to buckets, but Jones has started to make an impact in half court offensive sets. 

Unfortunately, Jones missed significant time in the 2024-25 season due to injury and the Pelicans prematurely shutting down their season. But, in the 2023-24 season, Jones shot 41.8% from behind the arc, nearly a 10% improvement from the previous year.

“That improvement from the three-point line has made a really big difference for the Pelicans,” Walker said. “They ended up winning 49 games (last season) and I think a lot of that has to do with Herb’s ability to knock down that shot.” 

His improvement from behind the arc is evident on the stat sheet, but Jones has not only improved on the court — he’s improved off the court as well.

“I think he’s starting to come out of his shell a little bit,” Walker said. “He’s starting to become a little more vocal now and you’ll see him express himself more on the court when he makes a big play.” 

Guillory said that he has noticed Jones opening up more during his time speaking with the media.

“When you have those one-on-one interviews with him, he’s a very cool dude,” Guillory said. “He’s a funny guy who loves joking around, loves basketball, loves his family and loves fishing.” 

The money that comes with being an NBA player is a big incentive for players to compete and train at the highest level of the sport. Yet, for Jones, it’s just a nice perk that comes with playing the sport he loves. 

Some players opt to buy fancy clothes or cars to show off as they make their stadium entrance. Jones strictly wears the Pelicans team gear he gets for free. 

“He’s not like a lot of players — he’s not going to come into the arena dressed in a suit or anything flashy,” Walker said. “All Herb wants to do is go fishing.” 

In an interview with Marc Spears of Andscape, Jones described his mentality and approach to dealing with the financial benefits that come with being in the NBA. 

“Save that money. That’s how I think,” Jones told Andscape. “I’m not worried about what someone would say about my appearance if my family is doing good or better than what they were.” 

Jones further elaborated on his motivation to remain frugal: “I think long term for my kids. If I have to wear Pelicans gear or whatever team gear for the team I’m on for the rest of my career, then my kids or kids’ kids can go to school for free just based on what I earned in the NBA. Then I’m good. I’m cool.” 

Jones is 26 years old and is already a great dad to the kids he doesn’t have. His keenness to save money and prioritize the financial security of his family is enviable 

While he doesn’t have kids, Jones does have a brother who he told to reach out if there is anything he needs. 

In the interview with Spears, Jones also revealed that he drives the same 2018 Dodge Charger he drove in college. In December 2022, when the story was reported, Jones told Andscape that he had racked up about 60,000 miles. 

“I’m going to keep using it until it breaks or stops working on me,” Jones told Andscape. “As long as it gets me to the gym, I’m cool.” 

Considering the lavish lifestyle some NBA players live, Jones’ simplicity gives young viewers a new model of success and happiness. Jones works hard, plays well on the court and then goes home and enjoys his life like anyone else. 

He may be an NBA player, but he doesn’t make it his personality. He doesn’t show off on social media. In fact, he rarely ever uses social media other than to post about the sport he loves. 

Jones isn’t getting the recognition he might deserve, but he doesn’t need the recognition to feel comfortable with his status.

“He doesn’t really like the attention, he just wants to go out and play ball,” Walker said. “That’s just how he is, that’s how he’s always been, and I think that’s how he will always be.” 

Jones might prefer to stay out of the spotlight, but his teammates won’t hesitate to speak on his behalf. Following the Pelicans’ first round exit in the 2024 Playoffs, teammates CJ McCollum and Trey Murphy III both advocated for Jones to earn First Team All-Defense honors. 

Guillory said that the players made T-Shirts that said “Not on Herb,” in reference to his lockdown defense. 

“He’s not a big fan of all that attention and he’s not going to be out there calling for people to give him awards,” Guillory said. “That’s part of the reason why his teammates and coaches have started advocating for him.”

Whether it was his teammates advocating for him, or more likely his play on the court, the voters made note. Jones earned first team All-Defensive honors following the 2023-24 season. 

Now, four seasons into his NBA career, Jones has maintained his personality. He hasn’t let fame and glory affect his perspective on life, and he’s likely to remain that way until the day he calls it quits. 

Zion Williamson, Jones’ teammate, perfectly described and praised Jones’ simple approach to life and the game of basketball: 

“I respect the way he carries himself,” Williamson said. “He is who he is.”