Damon Jones
Damon Darron Jones was born on the 25th of August 1976. He played for the Ball High School Golden Tornadoes basketball team before graduating in 1994. The University of Houston recruited him to play college basketball for three years. He majored in sociology during his time there. Jones declared early for the 1997 NBA draft but went undrafted by any team.
Jones became a journeyman throughout his professional career. He never played for the same team for more than one season except for 2005, 2008 with the Cleveland Cavaliers. In total, he played for ten different teams across various leagues. His role often involved waiting on the outside while teammates like Shaquille O'Neal or LeBron James forced double teams. Three-point attempts made up the majority of his field goal attempts.
Prior to the 2004, 2005 season, Jones signed a one-year contract worth $2.5 million with the Miami Heat. He set career highs in games started and minutes played that year. Jones made 225 three-point field goals which ranked third best in the entire NBA. His three-point field goal percentage reached 43.2% placing him fifth best that season. He led the league in True Shooting Percentage at 62.5%. On the 16th of February 2005, he scored a career-high 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.
On the 8th of September 2005, Jones departed the Heat to sign a four-year deal worth $16.1 million with the Cleveland Cavaliers. During the 2006 playoffs, he hit a game-winning shot in overtime to clinch a series against the Washington Wizards. The Cavaliers went on to win the championship over the Golden State Warriors in seven games during April 2016. Jones served as an assistant coach for the team during this historic run. It was the first time a team had overcome a 3, 1 deficit in the Finals.
In 2014, Jones joined the coaching staff for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a shooting consultant. He worked with both the Cavaliers and their NBADL affiliate the Canton Charge. During the 2015, 16 season, he served as an assistant coach with the Charge. In April 2016, head coach Tyronn Lue added Jones to his full-time coaching staff for the playoffs. On the 18th of March 2018, J.R. Smith threw a bowl of soup at Jones after which Smith was suspended for one game.
On the 23rd of October 2025, Jones was arrested by the FBI regarding an illegal gambling scheme. He was charged alongside Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups. The exact charges remain unknown as of that date. FBI director Kash Patel was expected to hold a press conference to speak on additional possible arrests. This event marked the end of his public career following years of professional play and coaching.
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Common questions
When was Damon Jones born and what did he study in college?
Damon Darron Jones was born on the 25th of August 1976. He majored in sociology during his time at the University of Houston.
Which teams did Damon Jones play for and when did he win a championship?
Jones played for ten different teams across various leagues including the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers. The Cavaliers won the championship over the Golden State Warriors in seven games during April 2016 while Jones served as an assistant coach.
What were Damon Jones career highs in three-point shooting and points scored?
Jones made 225 three-point field goals which ranked third best in the entire NBA during the 2004, 2005 season. On the 16th of February 2005, he scored a career-high 31 points against the Los Angeles Clippers.
How did Damon Jones transition from player to coach for the Cleveland Cavaliers?
In 2014, Jones joined the coaching staff for the Cleveland Cavaliers as a shooting consultant working with both the team and their NBADL affiliate. Head coach Tyronn Lue added Jones to his full-time coaching staff for the playoffs in April 2016.
When was Damon Jones arrested and who else was charged in the scheme?
On the 23rd of October 2025, Jones was arrested by the FBI regarding an illegal gambling scheme. He was charged alongside Miami Heat player Terry Rozier and Portland Trail Blazers head coach Chauncey Billups.