Pistons two-way forward Isaac Jones thought he was done with basketball when he graduated from high school in 2018, Omari Sankofa II of The Detroit Free Press writes in a subscriber-only story. With no college offers in sight, the Seattle native took a job on a loading dock and began to pursue a career outside of the game.

“It was crazy,” Jones said. “It was really humbling. I’ve gotta get up at 6 a.m., go work a manual, tough 9-to-5. It was cool, it helped me mature and grow. I always mess around and say I’m the only NBA player who’s forklift-certified.”  

Jones’ fortunes changed over the following year as he grew from 6’4″ to 6’9″ and received a call from a high school teammate who was transferring to Wenatchee Valley College. The coach was looking to add a player with size, which gave Jones a chance to get back on the court. That was followed by a year at Idaho and another at Washington State, where he earned first-team All-Pac 12 honors in 2024.

Jones entered the NBA on a two-way deal with Sacramento in the summer of 2024, and the Pistons claimed him off waivers in November of 2025. He received first-team All-G League recognition last season and has been impressive during Summer League, reaching a level that seemed impossible eight years ago.

Jones credits his first college coach, Jeremy Harden, with giving him confidence that he could play professionally.

“It was back in JUCO when he told me I could be an NBA player,” he said. “I truly believed him and I got more confident. I thought I was going to go to the NBA.”

There’s more on the Pistons:

• Detroit wrapped up its Summer League schedule on Friday, as Ebuka Okorie became the first Pistons first-round pick since 2023 to play in all five games, Sankofa notes in a separate story. The former Stanford point guard had a strong finish to his time in Las Vegas, posting 29 points, four rebounds and three assists in a loss to Miami.
• Chaz Lanier, who appeared in 34 games as a rookie last season, also put together a strong week in Las Vegas, Sankofa adds. The 24-year-old shooting guard connected at 56.4% from three-point range over his last four games and appears to be one of the top outside threats on Detroit’s roster.
• Brice Williams, who spent last season with Detroit’s G League affiliate, is hoping his impressive Summer League performance will lead to an opportunity with the NBA team, per Alauna Marable of The Detroit News (subscription required). The 6’7″ guard displayed his scoring ability with 24 points against Phoenix on Wednesday. “I’m just playing confident, I ain’t really thinking too much,” he said. “You know, having a short memory, shaking off that last game — just playing for the next play.”