Last Updated on July 17, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

Dontae Jones was an athletic forward whose defensive versatility and physical style of play earned him opportunities at the NBA level after a successful college career. While his time in the league was relatively brief, he built a long professional career by bringing toughness, energy, and a willingness to contribute in a variety of roles.

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