Spencer Jones' LinkedIn Account Highlights Nuggets' Unlikely Success Story

The undrafted wing has become a key rotation player for the Nuggets this season after initially planning a career in business and technology.

Feb. 7, 2026 at 12:55pm

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Spencer Jones, an undrafted wing player for the Denver Nuggets, has become a surprising success story this NBA season. After initially planning a career in business and technology, Jones was convinced to pursue basketball and ended up earning a two-way contract with the Nuggets. His active LinkedIn account, which has gone viral, provides a window into his unconventional path to the NBA as he continues to balance his basketball career with other professional interests.

Why it matters

Jones' journey highlights the unpredictable nature of professional sports careers, as well as the importance of adaptability and embracing unexpected opportunities. His story also speaks to the growing role of social media and online platforms in how athletes present themselves and connect with fans and the broader public.

The details

Jones, who grew up in a family of medical professionals, initially planned to major in biomedical engineering in college. However, after a strong freshman season playing basketball at Stanford, he started to consider the possibility of a professional basketball career. Despite opportunities to transfer and maximize his NIL earnings, Jones decided to stay at Stanford for a fifth year, valuing the business connections he had made at the university. The Nuggets signed Jones to a two-way contract after he went undrafted in 2024, and he has since emerged as a key rotation player, known for his defense and 'glue guy' mentality. Off the court, Jones continues to pursue his other interests, including investing in a health tech company, working with a nonprofit, and taking up painting.

  • Jones went undrafted in 2024.
  • The Nuggets signed Jones to a two-way contract after the 2024 NBA Draft.
  • Jones spent most of his first pro season with the Nuggets' G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold.
  • The Nuggets decided to retain Jones on a two-way contract for the 2025-26 season.
  • In January 2026, Jones made a viral LinkedIn post about dealing with public failure as a professional athlete.

The players

Spencer Jones

A 6-foot-7 wing player for the Denver Nuggets who has emerged as a key rotation player this season after initially planning a career in business and technology.

Dwayne Jones

Spencer Jones' father, who is an anesthesiologist.

Herman Jones Jr.

Spencer Jones' grandfather, who was a pioneering Black doctor in Kansas City and regaled Spencer with stories about the 1950s basketball scene.

David Adelman

The head coach of the Denver Nuggets, who has praised Spencer Jones' defense and 'glue guy' mentality.

DeMar DeRozan

A top-25 scorer in NBA history who Spencer Jones had to defend in his first NBA start.

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What they’re saying

“You can't hide from your weaknesses. The data is right there. You can't tell yourself it wasn't that bad. Everyone already saw it. You're forced to confront blind spots faster than you'd ever choose to. It's uncomfortable. Sometimes humiliating. But it builds something. Call it exposure tolerance.”

— Spencer Jones (LinkedIn)

“He's a rotation NBA player.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach (The Denver Post)

“What Spence has figured out that a lot of people don't figure out at any point in their life is what he can't do. So he doesn't do it. And it's really shown at the end of games. ... He knows things that he shouldn't be doing. Doesn't do them. Just a really clean basketball player, and the guys trust him because of that.”

— David Adelman, Nuggets Head Coach (The Denver Post)

What’s next

The Nuggets are preparing to convert Jones' two-way contract to a standard NBA deal, allowing him to play out the season as part of Denver's 15-man roster as the team makes a playoff push.

The takeaway

Spencer Jones' unconventional path to the NBA, highlighted by his active LinkedIn presence, demonstrates the value of adaptability and embracing unexpected opportunities. His story serves as an inspiration for those seeking non-traditional routes to professional success.