The Golden State Warriors added size and defensive versatility when they selected Israeli American Lajae Jones with the No. 54 overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The 22-year-old steps onto the NBA court as one of five known Jewish players in the 450-person league, joining Deni Avdija of the Portland Trail Blazers, Domantas Sabonis of the Sacramento Kings and Danny Wolf and Ben Saraf, both of the Brooklyn Nets.
Although born and raised in Florida, Jones is closely connected to his Israeli roots through his mother, who was born in Haifa. He became a bar mitzvah and has Israeli citizenship, according to the San Francisco Standard. His Instagram bio features a Star of David and Israeli flag emojis, along with the name “Ari Jones” spelled in Hebrew letters.
Jones has said that he wants to represent his community, embracing the dual identity that shapes his story.
“I was raised Jewish, and I’m going to stick by it,” Jones told the Standard. “I don’t want to change. I know I’m one of a few million, I don’t know the exact number, but it’s a small group. So, being able to represent Judaism and Israel from my mom’s side of the family is just a blessing regardless. And also being American, representing America and Israel at the same time, it’s just a blessing.”
(Golden State Warriors)
Jones last visited Israel as a child for an uncle’s wedding, where he remembers visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem and the Dead Sea. He has said that his connection to Judaism is still developing and he’s hoping to deepen it now that his career is taking shape.
“I know there is a higher power out there, God, for sure. But I know I could just be better with building a relationship with it,” he told the Standard. “I have a Torah at home, at my mom’s house. Once I get settled in, I’m going to bring all my books over. I got the Tehillim [Book of Psalms], too. I’ll read pages of that.”
Jones didn’t immediately respond to a request for an interview from J.
The 6-foot-7, 220-pound player arrives in the Bay Area after an unconventional college journey that took him from playing for the Tarleton State Texans to the Barton Cougars to the St. Bonaventure Bonnies and then to the Florida State Seminoles.
It was at Florida State this past school year that Jones developed into an NBA prospect, playing in all 33 games of the season, making 31 starts and leading the team in total rebounds and blocked shots. During his senior season with the Seminoles, Jones averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.1 assists while adding 1.2 steals and one block per game, showcasing the two-way versatility that made him an attractive second-round selection.
Following his selection by the Warriors in late June’s draft, Jones became the target of antisemitic comments on social media, something he said he has encountered before.
“A lot of the time, it’s about the war,” Jones told the Standard. “It doesn’t affect me at all.”
The ongoing conflict in the Middle East has made his heritage especially personal.
“The war sucks because I’ve got to worry about my mom’s side of the family,” Jones said. “I don’t want war at all. Who does? I want it to end.”
The NBA season opens in October.