Alabama’s Own Herb Jones Earns 100th Steal of NBA Rookie Season

The Alabama Crimson Tide basketball team is set to get underway in the NCAA Tournament and that brings back fond memories of the 2021 Sweet 16 team led by Herb Jones.

Jones was drafted in the second round by the New Orleans Pelicans with the 35th overall pick in the 2021 NBA Draft. He rose up draft boards with his 2021 SEC Player of the Year season and hasn't stopped improving now that he's in the NBA.

On Tuesday the Alabama native became the second Pelicans rookie to clear 100 steals in a season after he recorded three steals against the Suns. He's averaging 1.5 steals per game through 66 games, upholding the strong defensive reputation he earned with the Crimson Tide.

Offensively he's averaging 9.7 points per game while shooting 34.6% from the 3-point line. He's pulling in 3.9 rebounds with 2.2 assists as well.

The NBA honored Jones at the All-Star Break, naming him to the Rising Stars Challenge. He was one of 12 rookies selected for the challenge, proving him as one of the elite talents in his class.

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The Pelicans currently sit at 28-41 on the season, good enough for 10th place in the Western Conference, the final seed in the play-in round of the playoffs. New Orleans has battled hard through injuries throughout the year. Jones has been instrumental in keeping the Pelicans in the playoff battle.