Evangelical Christian School product and native Memphian Kam Jones emerged from the second round of the NBA Draft as a new member of the Indiana Pacers Thursday, June 26.
The junior out of Marquette was the 38th pick overall. The Pacers acquired the pick from the San Antonio Spurs in exchange for a 2030 second-round pick and cash considerations.
After his name was announced by NBA Deputy Commissioner Mark Tatum, Jones and his cousin provided an uplifting moment with a celebratory handshake and hug. He also thanked the rest of his family and supporters seated nearby.
โMy whole table over there,โ Jones gestured. โWe got my dad, my momma, Coach Martin, my agent and my little cousin, Dillon. Heโs more talented than me. Heโs very good at a lot of sports. I told him, just keep running. You never know what can happen.โ
The draft was held at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Unlike past years, the 2025 draft was a two-day event. The first round was held the previous evening.
Jones wound up in an enviable landing spot for a rookie. If he sticks with the team, the 6-foot-5 combo guard could provide backup minutes at both guard spots. Pacers All-Star starting point guard Tyrese Haliburton is currently recuperating from a torn Achilles tendon suffered in Game 7 of the NBA Finals against winner Oklahoma City Thunder
Jones will try to earn minutes in a backcourt that includes veterans Andrew Nembhard and T.J. McConnell, along with second-year players Ben Sheppard and Johnny Furphy. The Pacers also selected 23-year-old point guard Taelon Peter from Liberty with the 54th overall pick on Thursday night.
โIโm just excited to get to know those guys out there, build those relationships, build those friendships,โ said Jones.
He will likely take part in the NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. It runs from July 10โ20.
As his college career progressed, Jones continued to show upside. After emerging from his freshman season with Big East All-Freshman honors, he followed up with an All-Big East second-team nod as a sophomore. This past season was no different. Jones tallied a career-high 17.2 points per game on the way to an NCAA Tournament run that ended in the Sweet 16. He spent four seasons with the program.
At one point in the draft process, Jones was considered a possible first-round selection. With both playmaking and shot-creation skills, he offers versatility to a backcourt in need of depth. It was his average athleticism and a streaky outside shot that lowered earlier projections. He shot 31.1% from 3-point range in 2024โ25.
Jones also boxes. He credits the sport with adding โtoughnessโ to his game.
โI really think boxing takes on that killer instinct, that killer mindset, that toughness you need. Iโve been in there a lot. Itโs definitely been a help to my career,โ said Jones.
