Dominique O'Neal Jones (born October 15, 1988) is an American professional basketball player. A noted scorer in college at the University of South Florida, Jones had the second-highest scoring average in the Big East Conference during the 2009–10 season. Jones has had a long career in the CBA and was named the league's MVP in 2023.
College career
Freshman
Jones entered USF and started every game during his first season. He scored 17.1 points per game with 4.6 rebounds and 2.8 assists.
Sophomore
In Jones's second season, the sophomore improved his scoring (18.1), rebounds (5.6) and assists (3.9) averages.
Junior
Prior to the 2009–2010 season, Jones was named to the preseason All Big East team. Over the season, he averaged 21.4 points while also grabbing 6.1 rebounds and giving 3.6 assists. He scored a season high 46 points in a 109–105 win over the Providence Friars. USF went 20–13 and Jones was named to the 1st team All-Big East team. He led the team with the most points in a game.
He was selected by the Memphis Grizzlies with the 25th overall pick in the 2010 NBA draft. The Grizzlies traded his rights to the Dallas Mavericks for cash considerations, reported to be around $3 million.
On November 30, 2010, the Mavericks assigned Jones to the Texas Legends of the NBA D-League, only to be called up early January 2011 after an injury to Caron Butler. He scored nine points in his return, in a 104–95 Dallas win over the Cleveland Cavaliers. A foot injury sidelined him for much of the season after averaging 2.3 points in 18 games. At the end of the season, the Mavericks would win the 2011 NBA Finals.
On January 15, 2012, Dallas assigned Jones to the D-League again. He would be recalled a week later. On February 19, 2012, Jones made his first career three-point field goal against the New York Knicks. On March 10, 2012, Jones recorded his first career start in an 87–111 loss to the Golden State Warriors.
In October 2012, the Mavericks opted not to pick up the team option for the next season in Jones's rookie contract. Jones was waived on March 9, 2013. On March 19, he was acquired by the Springfield Armor of the NBA D-League.
On August 11, 2017, Jones signed with Nanjing Monkey Kings of the Chinese Basketball Association. On December 12, 2017, he was waived by the Nanjing Monkey Kings.
On August 7, 2018, Jones signed with the Jilin Northeast Tigers of the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA). In the 2022–23 season, Jones led the league in assists and steals and was named the league's International MVP.
On September 25, 2024, Jones signed with the Jilin Northeast Tigers.
The Basketball Tournament
In 2017, Jones competed in The Basketball Tournament with the Tampa Bulls, a team made up of USF alumni. Jones' team made it to the Sweet 16 where they were eliminated by eventual champions Overseas Elite. Jones led the team with 28.3 PPG during the tournament.
Jones' forearms are tattooed with the words "Hustler" and "Survivor". After the Mavericks won the 2011 NBA Finals, Jones then proceeded to get a tattoo on his neck of the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy, commemorating his team's victory.
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