Golden State Forward AJ Jones Embraces Jewish Identity Amid NBA Rise and Antisemitism

AJ Jones, a 22-year-old American-Jewish forward recently drafted 54th overall by the Golden State Warriors, is gaining attention beyond basketball circles in the US. Born to a Jewish mother from Haifa and an African-American father, Jones has visited Israel and celebrated his bar mitzvah there. As he competes in the NBA Summer League aiming for a guaranteed contract, Jones spoke openly about his Jewish identity and the antisemitic backlash he has faced online, often linked to the ongoing conflict in Israel or his on-court performance.

In an interview with the San Francisco Standard, Jones acknowledged the hateful comments but said they do not affect him, emphasizing that poor games happen and are unrelated to his background. He also shared his deep connection to Judaism, stating he believes in a higher power and plans to strengthen his relationship with God by reading from his Tehillim (Psalms) and Torah scrolls he keeps at his mother's home.

Jones affirmed his commitment to his Jewish faith despite public scrutiny, highlighting the rarity of Jewish NBA players and expressing pride in representing both Israel and the United States. Regarding the current security situation in Israel, he described the war as horrific and expressed concern for his family there, hoping for a swift end to the conflict.