Pallacanestro Trieste has officially announced the signing of Lajae Jones, a 2004-born American forward. Jones joins the Giuliani club after building his entire basketball career in the United States, most recently playing for the Florida State Seminoles in the NCAA before being selected by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft.
The addition brings talent, defensive solidity and high-level experience to Trieste’s roster for the 2026-27 season.
Michael Arcieri: “A combination of talent, strength and versatility”
Trieste general manager Michael Arcieri praised Jones’ all-around profile.
“Lajae possesses a combination of pure basketball talent, physical strength, power and explosiveness, as well as positional versatility that is rarely found in a single player.
“He is the prototype of what has become known as ‘positionless basketball’: a player who impacts the game every single second — on both ends of the floor, under both baskets, in transition and attacking the rim through traffic.
“His selection in June’s NBA Draft is proof of his hard work, dedication and immense basketball potential. His decision to proudly wear the Trieste jersey and continue his basketball dream and development with us is proof of the great trust he has in our team, our staff, our fans and the potential of a truly special 2026-27 season.
“Our collaboration throughout the season with the Golden State Warriors’ staff regarding Lajae’s development represents an incredibly exciting opportunity for our staff and organization.
“His integration into our roster will be natural: he will be a determining factor both in the guard area and under the basket, playing with and without the ball, enhancing his teammates’ qualities on one possession and attacking the rim with relentless power on the next one.
“We are extremely excited to welcome Lajae and his family into our Biancorossa family and extend our warmest Trieste welcome to him.”
From junior college to Florida State
Born on May 21, 2004, in Neptune Beach, Florida, Lajae Leo Jones stands 2.01 meters tall and weighs 100 kilograms.
His college career included four different programs. After his freshman season with the Tarleton State Texans, Jones established himself at Barton Community College, where he won the national JUCO championship and was named Finals MVP.
He then moved to St. Bonaventure, averaging 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds as a starter during the 2024-25 season, before completing his college career with the Florida State Seminoles in the ACC.
12.7 points and 5.7 rebounds at Florida State
During the 2025-26 season, Jones averaged 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.0 blocks in 33 appearances.
He ranked among Florida State’s leading rebounders and led the team in blocks per game, while also earning a spot on the All-ACC Tournament Second Team.
Jones also produced a remarkable 36-point performance featuring 10 three-pointers, matching the Seminoles’ program record for three-pointers in a game.
At the end of the season, he was selected by the Golden State Warriors with the 54th overall pick in the 2026 NBA Draft and subsequently played in the NBA Summer League.
A versatile 3-and-D prospect
Jones’ profile is highlighted by his defensive ability across multiple positions, from guard to small forward, as well as his ability to make reads in the low post when switching defensively.
He also showed consistency from the perimeter, qualities that made him one of the most highly regarded NBA prospects in the 3-and-D category during his final college season.
His excellent ball control further complements his profile, with one of the lowest turnover rates among players at his position in NCAA Division I.
Pallacanestro Trieste welcomes Lajae Jones and his family and wishes him a successful 2026-27 season in the Biancorossa jersey.
Commenta
Visualizza commenti