Pallacanestro Trieste has officially completed the signing of American forward Lajae Jones for the upcoming basketball season, adding a versatile piece to the club’s biancorosso roster following his selection in the 2026 NBA Draft by the Golden State Warriors.
Born on May 21, 2004, in Neptune Beach, Florida, the 201-centimeter, 100-kilogram forward joins the Italian club after a collegiate journey across the United States that culminated with an NCAA season playing for the Florida State Seminoles. According to announcements released by the club, Jones brings high-level athleticism, defensive toughness, and a skill set tailored to modern positionless basketball.
“Lajae possiede una combinazione di puro talento cestistico, forza fisica, potenza ed esplosività, e versatilità di ruolo che raramente si trova in un singolo giocatore,” said Pallacanestro Trieste GM Michael Arcieri through the club’s official channels. Arcieri described Jones as the prototype of positionless basketball, capable of impacting the game across both ends of the floor, under the boards, in transition, and in traffic.
The journey to Trieste saw Jones develop through four different college programs. Subsequent stops included St. Bonaventure during the 2024-25 season—where he averaged 10.8 points and 5.8 rebounds as a starter—before he finished his college career in the Atlantic Coast Conference with Florida State.
During the 2025-26 season with the Florida State Seminoles, Jones appeared in 33 games, posting averages of 12.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, 1.1 assists, 1.2 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest. He earned selection to the All-ACC Second Team and led his squad in blocked shots per game while establishing himself as one of the team’s top rebounders. His collegiate highlights included a standout 36-point performance featuring 10 three-pointers, which equaled a Florida State program record.
Following the conclusion of his college campaign, Jones heard his name called during the 2026 NBA Draft, where the Golden State Warriors selected him with the 54th overall pick. He subsequently participated in the NBA Summer League with the franchise.
According to team management, Trieste’s technical staff will maintain a direct collaboration with the Golden State Warriors organization throughout the season regarding Jones’s ongoing development.
On the floor, scouts and club officials note that Jones fits the mold of a “3&D” prospect, combining perimeter shooting touch with multi-positional defensive versatility capable of switching onto guards and forwards alike, alongside low-post defensive reads. Team officials also highlighted his low turnover rate in NCAA Division I play as evidence of sound ball security.
Trieste’s coaching staff expects his integration into the roster to be seamless, utilizing his ability to stretch the floor, attack closeouts, and operate both on and off the ball.
Related reading
