FSU basketball adds JD Jones to 2026 signing class

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Florida State has added another player to its 2026 recruiting class, announcing the signing of JD Jones on Wednesday.

“JD Jones is exactly the type of young man we want in our program,” FSU head coach Loucks said in a statement. “He’s a high-character individual who brings toughness, consistency, and a team-first mindset every single day. What stands out most is how he impacts the culture – he competes, he leads by example, and he elevates the people around him. We’re excited about what he brings both on and off the court.”

Listed at 6-foot-5 and 205 pounds, Jones was a four-year starter, scoring the second-highest points in school history (1,762) while playing at Phoenix County Day School. His father, three-time NBA champion James Jones who is currently the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations, enrolled him in a smaller program in an effort to provide him a more complete high school experience, including playing every position on the court.

From the Arizona Republic:

James could have taken his son anywhere to play high school basketball. He could impact at the highest Arizona Interscholastic Association level in 6A. He could impact at a top prep academy level.

But James said the quality of life that his son is getting as a person, more than a player, at the north Phoenix private school is more important than being part of a top-tier program that has Division I college coaches flocking to find talent.

“I think in order to be a great player, you have to be a great person,” James said. “It’s not the three hours on the floor that defines you. It’s the 21 hours off the court that defines you.

“I wanted to put him in a place where the next 21 hours would put him in a position to be the best person he can be. And the basketball will take care of itself.”

Jones, unranked by the major recruiting services, is the sixth addition to the Seminoles’ No. 9-ranked (No. 2 in the ACC) class, which also features four-star signees Brandon Bass Jr., Martay Barnes, Jasen Lopez, Collin Paul and Marcis Ponder.

The full release from Florida State:

TALLAHASSEE – Florida State has added guard JD Jones to its 2026 signing class, head coach Luke Loucks announced Wednesday.

“JD Jones is exactly the type of young man we want in our program,” Loucks said. “He’s a high-character individual who brings toughness, consistency, and a team-first mindset every single day. What stands out most is how he impacts the culture – he competes, he leads by example, and he elevates the people around him. We’re excited about what he brings both on and off the court.”

FSU’s class is ranked No. 9 in the nation and No. 2 in the ACC according to the 247Sports Composite Team Rankings. Jones is the sixth prep addition to the class, which also features four-star signees Brandon Bass Jr., Martay Barnes, Jasen Lopez, Collin Paul and Marcis Ponder.

JD Jones | SG | 6-5 | 205 | Phoenix, Ariz. | Phoenix Country Day School
BEFORE FSU: Four-year starter…scored 1,762 career points, the second-highest total in school history…four-time all-region selection…team captain his senior season…named region’s Player of the Year and Offensive Player of the Year…first-team all-conference and all-region…led Phoenix Country Day School to 25-2 record and into the semifinal round of the state championship bracket…opened state tournament with 28 points in first-round victory…scored 20 points to help Eagles to win in quarterfinal round of state tournament…helped Phoenix Country Day to 20 wins and a state semifinal appearance during his junior season and into the quarterfinal round of the state tournament as a sophomore…named region’s Player of the Year his junior year and was back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year as a sophomore and junior…son of three-time NBA champion James Jones, who is currently the NBA’s Executive Vice President and Head of Basketball Operations.

Quote on JD Jones
“We are incredibly proud of JD and the hard work he has put in to reach this milestone. Choosing to continue his journey at Florida State University is a testament to his dedication, and we couldn’t be more excited to see him join the Seminole family. We know he will represent the Garnet and Gold with the same passion and integrity he has always shown, and we look forward to all the great things he will achieve in Tallahassee. Go Noles!”
— Destiny and James Jones
JD’s Parents

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