NBA Draft Pick L.J. Jones Expresses Desire to Play for Israel National Team
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
L.J. Jones, a 22-year-old guard/forward recently drafted by the Golden State Warriors, is making a strong start in Italy's top basketball league with Trieste. Jones, who has an Israeli mother and family in Israel, expressed his desire to play for the Israeli national team and potentially win a gold medal. He has also indicated he could easily obtain Israeli citizenship. His impressive recent performance included 21 points and 13 rebounds, leading his team to victory.
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- L.J. Jones, drafted by the Golden State Warriors, wants to play for the Israeli national basketball team.
- Jones, 22, is playing his first professional season in Italy for the team Trieste.
- He has an Israeli mother and family in Israel, and stated he can easily get Israeli citizenship.
- Jones recently had a career-high 21 points and 13 rebounds in a win for Trieste.
- He is the youngest player in Italian league history with at least 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 three-pointers in a game.
American-Israeli basketball player L.J. Jones, who was recently selected by the Golden State Warriors in the NBA draft, has expressed his interest in representing the Israeli national team. Jones, a 22-year-old guard/forward, has begun his professional career in Italy with Trieste, a team in the top Italian league. He has a Jewish heritage through his mother, Nava, who is Israeli and lives in Florida. Jones has visited Israel previously and has family members, including his grandfather, living in the country. His Israeli name is Ari Jones, and he proudly displays his Jewish identity on social media, including the Israeli flag and Star of David.
Jones does not currently hold Israeli citizenship but mentioned in an interview that he was told he could obtain it easily. He stated his desire to play for both the Israeli and U.S. national teams if possible, aiming to win a gold medal for Israel. He has had a remarkable start to his season in Italy, quickly becoming the team's leading scorer. In his fourth game, he achieved a career-high of 21 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 steals, leading Trieste to their first win of the season. Across his first four games, Jones is averaging 16.5 points, 8.8 rebounds, 2 steals, and 2 blocks per game. His recent performance, which included 20 points, 13 rebounds, and 6 three-pointers, made him the youngest player in Italian league history to achieve such a stat line, and the first in 17 years.
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