Former Alabama Hoops Star HerB Jones Talks Return to BHAM for NBA Game

By Jesse Kelley

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA - October 14, 2025

Former Alabama basketball standout and current small forward for the New Orleans Pelicans, Herb Jones, met with the media after the conclusion of the Pelicans’ shoot-around at Legacy Arena on Tuesday morning. Jones, along with teammates Zion Williamson, Hunter Dickinson, and Jordan Poole, is set to take on Kevin Durant, Jabari Smith Jr., Amen Thompson, and JD Davison of the Houston Rockets at 7 p.m. CT inside Legacy Arena at the BJCC.

"It’s amazing to be back (in Birmingham),” said Jones. “It’s not every day that professional teams are in Alabama, and for me, being someone from Alabama and having the opportunity to play here is always amazing.” Jones is no stranger to the Magic City, having played at the BJCC in the AHSAA playoffs while at Hale County High School and again in college at Alabama.

In July of this year, Jones signed a three-year, $68 million contract extension with New Orleans. “It’s been a great year for me,” said Jones. “I’m ready for the season to start, but I am super thankful for what God has done for me in my life this year.” The Pelicans finished last season with a 21-61 overall record, finishing second-to-last in the Western Conference and missing the playoffs. Jones and the rest of the Pelicans are looking to build a deep and consistent chemistry as New Orleans tips off their season against the Memphis Grizzlies on October 22. “We are just trying to build good team chemistry, and we have a lot of new guys in the organization. We know that’s something that doesn’t happen overnight, we are going to have to go through some rough stretches, weather the storm, and continue to work together.”

Jones concluded his media availability advocating for a huge crowd tonight at Legacy Arena, as some of the top players in all of the NBA are going to hit the hardwood in Birmingham. “This is the NBA in Birmingham,” said Jones. “We don’t know the next time something like this will happen, so we definitely need to have everyone come out while they can.”

Both the Pelicans and the Rockets will play one more preseason game on Thursday before the start of the 2025-26 NBA regular season. Tickets for tonight’s game are still available at the link here or for purchase at the Legacy Arena ticket office upon arrival.