LAS VEGAS (United States) – David Jones-García has emerged as one of the breakout stars of the 2025 NBA Summer League in Las Vegas. Playing for the San Antonio Spurs, the Dominican forward currently ranks third in scoring at the event, averaging 24.3 points per game. He’s also shooting an impressive 63 percent from beyond the arc, with 5.3 rebounds, 4.0 assists, and 1.7 steals per game. Even the Spurs’ Summer League head coach, Mike Noyes, has gone on record calling Jones-García the best player in this year’s summer circuit. While that might sound like a biased opinion as his coach, the numbers—and his on-court presence—speak for themselves. The forward has stepped up his game and is making a name for himself in the most prominent league. He spoke with FIBA Americas in Las Vegas and shared the key to his standout performance. “The difference this year is that I’m playing the way the coach wants me to. I’m doing what he asks, which is to get my teammates involved,” said the 23-year-old. “When you do that, the game becomes a little easier. Team basketball is really helping me right now, and it’s something I’ll keep doing throughout my career,” he affirmed.
Last season, Jones-García had a strong showing in the G-League with the Mexico City Capitanes, averaging 24.3 points in 33 games. His performance earned him a call-up to the Utah Jazz. He later joined their G-League affiliate, the Salt Lake City Stars, where he posted 14.1 points per game over 13 appearances, before returning to Capitanes to finish the season. Now, with his sights set on earning a full NBA contract, he’s making the most of his Summer League opportunity. “Hard work and discipline have brought me this far, and I know they'll continue to take me to new levels,” said the left-handed forward, who played four NCAA Division I seasons at DePaul, St. John’s, and Memphis. “I feel blessed… Thank God for allowing me to be here. I also thank my parents, who always kept me on the right path. Especially my dad, may he rest in peace— he was the one who introduced me to basketball and kept me in it,” said Jones-García. 2025 has already been a memorable year for him. In addition to his NBA breakthrough, he made his senior national team debut with the Dominican Republic during the February window of the FIBA AmeriCup 2025 Qualifiers— a proud milestone after years representing the country’s youth teams. “It felt different,” he said of his debut. “It was at home, and I felt all that love you only get when you play in your own country. Plus, the game was played at Ricardo Gioriber Arias—the same arena where, back in 2017 at the U17 Centrobasket, I hit two free throws to win the gold medal. It was special because my family was there, watching me up close, playing for my country and feeling all that love from the fans. It was a unique experience, one I’ll always remember.”
That day, the Dominican Republic secured a key win over Canada, taking a major step toward qualifying for the AmeriCup. Jones-García contributed 13 points, 4 rebounds, and 4 assists in what was his first FIBA game since 2018, when he starred at the FIBA U17 Basketball World Cup (17.9 points, 9.9 rebounds, 2.3 assists). Clearly, he had no trouble readjusting after his NCAA and G-League stints. “The FIBA game is a bit more physical, more team-oriented, and the rules are a little different. But at the end of the day, it’s still basketball—three-point line, free throws, one hoop, five-on-five… for me, it’s basically the same,” he said. Jones-García is part of the exciting wave of talent coming out of the Dominican Republic. Karl-Anthony Towns (New York) and Al Horford (currently a free agent) are established NBA stars, while other players like Lester Quiñones (New Orleans), Koby Brea (Phoenix), and RJ Luis (Utah) are also making their presence felt in this Summer League. The country also has several standout players in Europe, such as Andrés Feliz, Jean Montero, and Ángel Delgado, along with many prospects competing in NCAA Division I. Most recently, the country competed at the 2025 FIBA U19 Basketball World Cup, a testament to its growing depth. Jones-García sees a bright future for his national team: “I’d say we’re a country blessed by God. Everyone knows we’ve always had a strong baseball tradition; that’s no secret. But now, in basketball, we’re growing every year. Young talents are rising—kids who are 14, 15, 16—coming to the U.S. chasing their dreams. I believe something big is coming for Dominican basketball.” FIBA