Herb Jones: Homecoming Is 'Going To Be Fun'

New Orleans Pelicans guard will make his homecoming tonight against the Houston Rockets.

Herb Jones returns home to Alabama as the Pelicans square off with the Houston Rockets in Game 2 of the NBA Preseason.  He freshly inked a new four-year, $54M deal with New Orleans during the offseason.  

How does the former state champion and 2016-17 Alabama Sports Writers Association's Class 4A Player of the Year Award winner feel about his homecoming?   "It's going to be fun to see a lot of friends and family in the building tonight," Jones mentioned to the media.  "And just being back in Alabama, playing professionally in front of my family, means a lot to me, and I think it's going to be a really good turnout tonight."

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Oct 2, 2023; New Orleans, LA, USA; New Orleans Pelicans forward Herbert Jones (5) poses during Media Day at the Smoothie King Center. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Hinton-USA TODAY Sports

Jones remained in the state to compete collegiately at the University of Alabama. He became the 2020-21 SEC Defensive Player of the Year and Player of the Year for the Tide.  His defense against some of the NBA's top players has made Jones one of the Pelicans fans' favorites.   They coined the phrase "Not On Herb" as a rookie because of his defensive prowess on the hardwood.

Herb Jones noted about his defense, "I mean, it's cool that the league and a lot of people recognize the effort I put in on the defensive side.  But I care more about what our team is doing.   And if everybody's not putting that effort, I won't be satisfied."

The New Orleans Pelicans and Houston Rockets game will begin at 7 PM CT in Legacy Arena in Birmingham, AL, on Thursday, Oct. 12.  Jones will be in the Pelicans starting lineup with Zion Williamson, Brandon Ingram, CJ McCollum, and Jonas Valanciunas.