NEW YORK, NY — Before stepping onto the court for his NBA debut on Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025, David Jones García carried more than just a jersey number on his back—he carried out a promise.
When he suited up for the San Antonio Spurs in their 2025-2026 regular season opener vs. the Dallas Mavericks, every step on the hardwood was a telling-sign to never give up on your dreams and more importantly for Jones García, a fulfillment of a vow he once made to his late father—that one day he would play in the NBA.
“I was just happy to be there,” he said. “I was happy to make the promise I had promised my dad come through.”
Born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jones García was first introduced to sports by his father. While he initially split time between baseball and basketball, it didn’t take long for him to realize which game held his heart.
“When I was 6 years old, he would take me to the playground to play basketball. Since that day, I fell in love with it.” -David Jones García
After moving to the United States, he began developing his craft at Teays Valley Christian High School in West Virginia, where his skill and determination stood out. From there, the six-six forward entered the NCAA ranks, beginning his collegiate career at DePaul University, where he showed promise as one of the team’s most reliable scorers and averaged double-digits in points.
Jones García then transferred to St. John’s University, facing the challenges that come with adapting to a new program, a new system, and new expectations. His final collegiate stop came at the University of Memphis, where he became a key contributor under head coach Penny Hardaway.
David Jones García impressed many professional scouts during his time at Memphis from 2023-2024 while being coached by former four-time NBA All-Star Penny Hardaway – Image Credit: Memphis Men’s Basketball
After not hearing his name called in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jones García refused to let that be the end of his story—joining the Mexico City Capitanes in the NBA G League after brief stints with the Philadelphia 76ers’ G League affiliate as well as the Utah Jazz’s, which was where his work ethic and scoring ability impressed many on the professional level.
His breakout moment came on March 14th of 2025 when he scored 51 points in a game against the San Diego Clippers, showing that his dream was still alive and within reach.
That perseverance and true determination earned him a two-way contract with the Spurs in 2025. When he finally checked into his first NBA career game last month (10/22/25, a 125-92 Spurs win), it represented years of sacrifice, faith, and hard work. For Jones García, scoring five points on a 2-2 clip from the field with one free throw made, that debut was never about the box score—it was about honoring his father’s memory and the promise that had guided his entire journey.
“It was a special moment for sure,” he said. “I will always appreciate the Spurs for making it happen.”
“Coach told me not to be nervous, because I couldn’t stop smiling.”
His rise in the sports world also carries deep meaning for the Dominican basketball community and all Latinos across the globe.
Jones García joins the growing lineage of Dominican players who have left their mark on the NBA, including Al Horford, Chris Duarte, and Karl-Anthony Towns. Each time he steps on the court, he represents a generation of young athletes from his homeland who see themselves in his shoes.
From Santo Domingo, D.R., to DePaul, St. John’s, Memphis, and now San Antonio, David Jones García’s path reminds us that perseverance and faith can turn a promise made in love into a dream fulfilled.
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Julio Pabón
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 am
Articles like this is what will set us apart from all the rest who claim to cover “sports”. We cover what is not yet on the corporate sports news radar, or agenda. Congrats Lanie for good solid reporting.