Hapoel Haifa announced today (Sunday) the signing of American forward Jaylen Jones, who played last season in Italian Varese and French Bourgeois. Jones is the third foreigner to join Sharon Drucker’s new team, after signing center Anthony Hickey and center Devonte Epson.
“Not every day a player of such a quality level lands in the country who played at the highest levels,” said club chairman Yuval Rossman.
Coach Sharon Drucker said: “In building the squad, we were looking for a diverse player who can play both indoors and outdoors, with athletic abilities, and we found a player at this level. We congratulate Jaylen on coming to Hapoel Haifa. We are happy that he chose us to continue his professional career. Fun and enjoyable. “
Jones (29, 2.01) played two years at SMU College, sat out a season, and moved for two years to the University of Texas A&M. After not being drafted he played in the Development League in the Maine uniform, and the following season won a double-sided contract from New Orleans, recording four games in the Pelicans uniform and most of the season playing in the Greensboro Development League. In January he was released from New Orleans and came to Dallas on a bilateral contract, receiving 12 games in the Mavericks uniform and spending the rest of the time in the Texas development team for the Gends.
In December 2018 he signed a bilateral contract with Cleveland, but after a month was released and ended the season in a Basconia uniform in the Euroleague where he recorded 4.5 points and 1.9 rebounds in 13 games. In the 2019/20 season he returned to the United States and played on the Washington Development Team, where he scored 19 points and eight rebounds per game. He started the 2020/21 season in Italian Varese, but tore his Achilles tendon and returned to play only last season, where he recorded 14.1 points and 5.5 rebounds per game in 12 games. He finished the season in the French bourgeoisie with 10.2 points and 4.3 rebounds per game.