Lajae Jones, selected as the No. 54 pick by the Golden State Warriors in the 2026 NBA Draft, has signed with the Italian team Pallacanestro Trieste, the club announced on Monday. This move comes after the Warriors filled their final NBA roster spot with forward Graham Ike on a two-way contract, allowing Jones to develop overseas.
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During his sole season with Florida State, Jones averaged 12.7 points and 5.7 assists per game. Standing at 6-foot-7 and weighing 215 pounds, he caught the attention of the Warriors. In summer league play, he averaged 8.7 points on 48.8-percent shooting across 16.3 minutes per game, contributing to the Warriors' title-winning roster.
Pallacanestro Trieste general manager Michael Arcieri expressed enthusiasm about Jones joining the team, stating that his commitment reflects confidence in their program and its potential for the upcoming 2026-27 season. He noted the exciting collaboration with the Warriors regarding Jones' development.
Jones is not the first second-round pick from Golden State to play in Italy; Nico Mannion, selected in the 2020 draft, also had a stint in the country during the 2021-2022 season. Additionally, fan favorite Juan Toscano-Anderson, who is currently with Pallacanestro Trieste, will be Jones' teammate.