Former Sun Derrick Jones Jr. signs two-way deal with Miami Heat
Dec 31, 2017, 4:12 PM
Phoenix Suns' Derrick Jones Jr. reacts after a play during the second half of the team's NBA summer league basketball game against the Sacramento Kings, Friday, July 7, 2017, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
(AP Photo/John Locher)
Former Phoenix Suns prospect and current Northern Arizona Suns player Derrick Jones Jr. signed a two-way contract with the Miami Heat on Sunday.
After going undrafted out of UNLV in 2016, Jones Jr. signed with the Suns and in the last two years appeared in 38 games for Phoenix.
He also played 35 games with the NAZ Suns in the G League. The 20-year-old, whose contract with the Suns was not guaranteed, was waived by Phoenix on Dec. 7 so they could sign point guard Mike James — then on a two-way deal himself — to the roster for the remainder of the regular season.
Jones Jr. was signed by Northern Arizona five days after being waived, but on a G League contract, he was eligible to be picked up by another NBA team. He will join Miami but can also shuttle between the Heat and its G League squad, the Sioux Falls Skyforce.
Jones Jr. averaged 4.7 points and 2.2 rebounds per game in his NBA career. He also represented the Suns in the 2017 NBA dunk contest during All-Star weekend.
The 6-foot-7, 195-pound forward was averaging 14.9 points, 6.3 rebounds and 1.7 blocks per game in the G League over his first two pro seasons.
