Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Tyus Jones

How Tyus Jones built a successful career. Explore key moments that defined the journey.

Tyus Jones is an American professional basketball player currently with the Dallas Mavericks. He played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils, winning the 2014-15 National Championship. Jones previously played for the Minnesota Timberwolves, Memphis Grizzlies and Washington Wizards, before landing with the Suns in 2024.

Sections (2)

Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1976: Most Assists without Turnover

In 2024, Tyus Jones debuted for the Suns on October 23 against the Los Angeles Clippers with an eight-assist/zero-turnover performance, which was the most assists without a turnover by a Sun in a debut since the 1976 ABA–NBA merger.

2009: Varsity Starter and Recruiting Letter

In 2009, Tyus Jones became a varsity starter for Apple Valley High School as an eighth-grader, averaging 16.8 points and 8.1 assists per game, and received his first recruiting letter from USC.

2010: Best point guard since Khalid El-Amin

By the summer after his 2010-11 freshman season, Tyus Jones was described as the best point guard from the state of Minnesota since Khalid El-Amin.

July 2011: Selection to FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship Team

In July 2011, Tyus Jones was invited to try out for the FIBA Americas Under-16 Championship team and was eventually selected, leading Team USA to win the tournament. By the end of the month, he had offers from Minnesota and Baylor.

November 15, 2013: Commitment to Duke

On November 15, 2013, Tyus Jones and Jahlil Okafor jointly announced their commitment to the Duke University men's basketball team on ESPNU.

Loading Video...

2013: Official visits to universities

In 2013, Tyus Jones made official visits to Baylor on August 31, Kentucky on September 2, Kansas on October 19, and Duke on October 26, as part of his college recruitment process.

2014: Debut with Duke

In 2014, Tyus Jones debuted with 15 points and 7 assists against Presbyterian on November 14. He also posted 17 points against #19 Michigan State on November 18.

2014: Duke Blue Devils freshman season

In 2014, Tyus Jones played college basketball for the Duke Blue Devils in his freshman season.

2014: Sought after recruit

In 2014, Tyus Jones was ranked 4th overall in ESPN's top 100 and was a USA Today second team All-USA Boys Basketball Team selection. He also had scholarship offers from several universities.

2014: High School Ranking and Achievements

In 2014, Tyus Jones was ranked among the top 10 high school players nationally by Rivals.com, Scout.com, and ESPN. He participated in the 2014 McDonald's All-American Boys Game, 2014 Jordan Brand Classic, and the 2014 Nike Hoop Summit, winning the skills competition at the McDonald's game and posting a double-double at the Jordan Brand Classic.

April 15, 2015: NBA draft declaration

On April 15, 2015, Tyus Jones announced his decision to enter the 2015 NBA draft, forgoing his remaining college eligibility.

July 7, 2015: Signed with Timberwolves

On July 7, 2015, Tyus Jones signed his rookie scale contract with the Minnesota Timberwolves after being drafted by the Cleveland Cavaliers and then traded.

2015: NCAA Championship and NBA Draft Entry

In 2015, Tyus Jones won the NCAA basketball tournament Most Outstanding Player award and subsequently entered the 2015 NBA draft.

2016: NBA Summer League MVP

Tyus Jones was named the MVP of the 2016 NBA Summer League, marking a significant achievement in his early NBA career.

April 12, 2017: Career-high assists against Houston Rockets

On April 12, 2017, Tyus Jones posted a career-high with 16 assists in the regular season finale against the Houston Rockets.

November 26, 2017: First NBA start

On November 26, 2017, Tyus Jones made his first career NBA start against the Phoenix Suns, posting a career-high seven steals and a career-high tying two blocked shots.

December 17, 2018: First double-double

On December 17, 2018, Tyus Jones posted his first 10-point, 10-assist double double against the Sacramento Kings.

July 11, 2019: Signed with Grizzlies

On July 11, 2019, Tyus Jones signed a three-year deal with the Memphis Grizzlies after the Timberwolves declined to match the offer sheet.

2019: Traded Draft Rights

In 2015, the Cleveland Cavaliers traded Tyus Jones' draft rights to the Minnesota Timberwolves in exchange for a 2019 second round draft pick and the draft rights to Cedi Osman and Rakeem Christmas.

2019: Signing with the Memphis Grizzlies

In 2019, Tyus Jones signed with the Memphis Grizzlies in the offseason, after playing four seasons with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

2020: NBA assists to turnover ratio leader

Tyus Jones repeated as NBA assists to turnover ratio leader for the 2019–20 season and also for the 2020–21 season.

February 1, 2021: Career-high 14 assists

On February 1, 2021, Tyus Jones posted a career-high 14 assists against the San Antonio Spurs.

2021: Broke own assists to turnover ratio

Tyus Jones broke his own record in the 2021–22 season with a 7.04 assist to turnover ratio. The 2021–22 Grizzlies went 20–5 in regular season games with Morant sidelined, and Jones started 23 of those 25 games.

February 15, 2022: Career-high points against Pelicans

On February 15, 2022, with Ja Morant sidelined, Tyus Jones started and posted a career-high 27 points against the New Orleans Pelicans.

July 6, 2022: Re-signed with Grizzlies

On July 6, 2022, Tyus Jones re-signed with the Grizzlies on a two-year, $30 million contract.

March 17, 2023: First NBA triple-double

On March 17, 2023, Tyus Jones recorded his first NBA career triple-double with 20 points, 10 rebounds, and 10 assists in an overtime victory against the San Antonio Spurs.