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Popeye Jones

Popeye Jones is an American former professional basketball player and current NBA assistant coach.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Popeye Jones is an American former professional basketball player and current NBA assistant coach. Born Ronald Jerome Jones in Dresden, Tennessee, he played power forward at Murray State and was selected in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft. After an 11-year NBA playing career, he moved into coaching and has served as an assistant coach for several NBA teams.

Early life and college career

Jones was born in Dresden, Tennessee, and played high school basketball there before attending Murray State University. At Murray State, he earned multiple Ohio Valley Conference honours and became one of the school’s standout players.

NBA playing career

Jones was selected by the Houston Rockets in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft and went on to play 11 seasons in the NBA. His career included stops with the Mavericks, Raptors, Celtics, Nuggets, Wizards and Warriors.

Coaching career

After retiring as a player, Jones entered coaching and worked for the Nets, Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets and Mavericks. He has been an NBA assistant coach since 2010.

Personal life

Jones is the father of NHL players Seth Jones and Caleb Jones. His nickname came from Popeye the Sailor, which was given to him in childhood by his mother.

Key facts

  • Played college basketball for Murray State, where he became one of the program’s most accomplished rebounders and scorers.
  • Was drafted 41st overall in the 1992 NBA draft by the Houston Rockets.
  • Played 11 NBA seasons from 1992 to 2004 for six teams, including the Dallas Mavericks and Toronto Raptors.
  • Transitioned to coaching after his playing career and has worked as an NBA assistant coach since 2010.
  • In 2025, he joined the Dallas Mavericks as an assistant coach.
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Canadian context

Jones played for the Toronto Raptors during his NBA career, giving him a connection to Canadian basketball fans.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Popeye Jones?
Popeye Jones is an American former NBA player and current assistant coach, best known for his college career at Murray State and his 11 seasons in the NBA.
What position did Popeye Jones play?
He played as a power forward.
When was Popeye Jones drafted?
He was selected in the second round of the 1992 NBA draft, 41st overall, by the Houston Rockets.
Which teams did Popeye Jones coach for?
He has been an assistant coach for the Nets, Pacers, 76ers, Nuggets and Mavericks.
What is Popeye Jones’s real name?
His full name is Ronald Jerome Jones.
Is Popeye Jones related to NHL players?
Yes. He is the father of NHL players Seth Jones and Caleb Jones.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Popeye_Jones
    Supports: Birth date, birthplace, height, weight, draft position, playing career, and coaching career timeline.
  2. NBA — https://www.nba.com/player/461/popeye-jones
    Supports: Height, weight, birthplace, birthdate, college, draft information, and player profile.
  3. Murray State Athletics — https://goracers.com/honors/hall-of-fame/ronald-popeye--jones/110
    Supports: College career honours, draft selection, career statistics, and Hall of Fame recognition.
  4. NBA Coaches Association — https://nbacoaches.com/popeye-jones/
    Supports: Recent coaching roles and 2025 move to the Dallas Mavericks.
  5. National Basketball Retired Players Association — https://www.legendsofbasketball.com/alumni/popeye-jones/
    Supports: Playing position, physical profile, draft details, and jersey numbers.
  6. ESPN — https://www.espn.com/nba/player/bio/_/id/401/popeye-jones
    Supports: Player biography, college, draft details, and birthplace.