Last Updated on April 16, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Here’s a detailed profile of Dontae Jones:

Player Profile

  • Full Name: Dontae’ Antijuaine Jones
  • Nationality: American
  • Age: Born June 2, 1975
  • Hometown: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
  • Height: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
  • Weight: 220 lbs (100 kg)
  • Wingspan: 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) based on height and position
  • Shoe Size: Size 15 (US)
  • Jersey Number: #13
  • Position: Power forward / Small forward
  • High School: Stratford High School (Nashville, TN)
  • College: Mississippi State University
  • NBA Draft: 1996, 1st round (21st overall) by the New York Knicks (rights traded to the Boston Celtics)
  • Teams Played For:
    • Boston Celtics (1996–1997)
      (After his NBA stint, Jones played professionally overseas and in minor leagues.)
  • Championship Rings: None
  • Kids: Information about his children is not widely publicized.
  • Siblings: Information about his siblings is not widely available.

Player Archetype / Play Style

Dontae Jones’s player archetype was that of an athletic slashing forward, a long, mobile wing-forward hybrid who looked most comfortable attacking space, finishing plays, and adding energy on both ends. At about 6-foot-8 and 220 pounds, he had good size for a small forward, a wiry but NBA-ready frame, and the kind of length that helped him play bigger than a pure wing. Defensively, he projected as a switchable complementary defender who could use his athleticism against forwards and contest around the perimeter rather than anchor a defense inside. Offensively, his game leaned toward straight-line drives, transition scoring, offensive rebounding, and opportunistic perimeter shooting more than advanced self-creation or half-court orchestration. In sum, Jones played like a raw but gifted combo forward whose value came from physical tools, open-floor activity, and secondary scoring punch.

Fun Facts

  • Dontae Jones had a brief NBA career but made a name for himself at Mississippi State, where he led the team to the 1996 NCAA Final Four and was named the SEC Tournament MVP.
  • After leaving the NBA, he played in various international leagues and minor leagues in the U.S.
  • Despite his short time in the NBA, Jones remained active in basketball, often participating in basketball camps and clinics to give back to his community.

Sources:

The Draft Review — Dontae Jones
Basketball-Reference — Dontae’ Jones Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Draft Status and more
Sports-Reference — Dontae’ Jones College Stats