Josh Jackson: Career, Girlfriend& Vandalism
By Ava Mcdaniel
Josh Jackson: Career, Girlfriend& Vandalism
April 4, 2026
This article was last updated by Sujan on June 13, 2026
Josh Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association’s Sacramento Kings.
He played one season of collegiate basketball for the Kansas Jayhawks before declaring for the 2017 NBA draft when he was selected fourth overall by the Phoenix Suns.
Josh is a high-level talent with a lot of potential. He possesses the size and athleticism to play two positions on both sides of the ball in the NBA.
He’s a competitor with a strong motor, and he’s the unique player who can generate offense from defense.
Likewise, the player is explosive, fast, and possesses strong lateral movement as well as open court speed.
Similarly, his assertiveness and aggressive inclinations, along with his athletic abilities, make him a frequent highlight reel. The player possesses significant traits in terms of team momentum.
Josh Jackson (Source: Instagram)Today we have gathered all the details about the NBA player Josh Jackson.
So, if you are further interested in the player’s professional as well as personal life, make sure to read the article to the end.
But, before that, have a glance at the quick facts about Josh.
Quick Facts
Josh Jackson: Early Life & Family
Jackson was born in San Diego County, California, when his mother, Apples Jones, served in the United States Navy.
Josh was raised by his mother, Apples Jones, and stepfather Clarence Jones. His stepfather passed away in 2014 when he was competing in a tournament in Las Vegas.
Jackson’s mother was a standout basketball player at the University of Texas at El Paso after transferring from Allen Community College in Kansas.
However, she could only play for one season after being ruled academically ineligible for her senior year, forcing her to leave UTEP and join the United States Navy as a parachute rigger.
Apples Jones was offered to join the Washington Mystics training camp following Josh’s birth. However, she ultimately declined the proposal preferring to raise Josh in Michigan.
Josh Jackson with his mother, Apples Jones (Source: Instagram)Josh resided in California until he was eight months old. After that, his mother relocated them to Michigan to be closer to her family.
He was pushed back a year in eighth grade because his enthusiasm for basketball overtook his studies, with Jackson attending Voyager Middle School for his repeating year before entering high school.
The player spent his freshman and sophomore years at Consortium College Prep School in Detroit, Michigan.
However, Josh transferred to Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California, for his junior and senior years.
Josh Jackson: High School Career
Josh averaged 17 points, six rebounds, four assists, and four blocks per game as a freshman at the Consortium College Prep School.
As a sophomore, the player guided the school to its first state championship. Likewise, he had a game average of 28 points, 15 rebounds, and six assists.
As mentioned earlier, Josh and his family relocated to California before his junior year to attend Justin-Siena High School in Napa, California, to play for Prolific Prep.
At Justin – Siena, Josh averaged 31.2 points per game and 5.4 assists as a junior. Likewise, he averaged 26.9 points and 13.1 rebounds per game as a senior.
Jackson was also a member of 1Nation Elite, a program started by his mother.
In March 2016, Josh participated in the 2016 McDonald’s All-American Game. The player shared the scoring lead with 19 points, four rebounds, and three assists at the game.
Along with , Josh was selected as Co-MVP. Moreover, Josh was also a five-star prospect and one of the top players in the 2016 recruiting class.
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Josh Jackson: College Career
Josh announced on April 11, 2016, that he would be joining the University of Kansas in Lawrence, Kansas, to play basketball, choosing KU over Michigan State and Arizona.
During his lone season at Kansas, Josh showed his ability to score, rebound, make plays, and defend.
Despite starting as a power forward for the Jayhawks, rather than his usual small forward or shooting guard positions, the player averaged 16.3 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.7 steals, and 1.1 blocks per game as a rookie.
Consequently, Josh was selected an All-Big 12 First Team member, the Big 12 Freshman of the Year, and a second-team All-American by Sporting News.
He was also selected as a third-team All-American by the Associated Press and the National Association of Basketball Coaches.
The player officially declared for the 2017 NBA draft on April 17, 2017, and signed former Chicago Bulls point guard as his agent, preceding his remaining college eligibility.
Josh Jackson: Professional Career
The player has, as of now, played for four teams in his professional NBA career.
Phoenix Suns
The Phoenix Suns picked Josh with the fourth pick in the 2017 NBA draft on June 22, 2017, his second consecutive choice at that position following .
According to various sources, after being drafted fourth by Phoenix, Josh had canceled his workout with the Boston Celtics, who held the third pick after trading the first to the Philadelphia 76ers.
It was said that Celtics management and staff were on their way to Sacramento to meet Josh, which irritated Celtics general manager Danny Ainge.
However, Ainge denied that it played a role in his decision not to draft Josh.
When questioned about it, Suns’ general manager Ryan McDonough did not deny any cooperation between the Suns and Josh’s representatives to prevent the Celtics from picking Josh.
However, Josh blamed the incident on lousy scheduling and an inability to reschedule for a more appropriate day.
Josh Jackson playing basketball (Source: Instagram)On July 3, 2017, Josh signed his rookie-scale contract. During the 2017 NBA Summer League, the player averaged 17.4 points, a team-high 9.2 rebounds,1.2 steals, 1.6 assists, and 1.0 blocks per game in 35.0 minutes per game.
As a result, he earned All-Summer League First Team accolades with Dennis Smith Jr., , , and Caleb Swanigan.
Other Teams
The Phoenix Suns traded Josh to the Memphis Grizzlies on July 7, 2019. Following that, the Grizzlies sent the player to the Memphis Hustle, their NBA G League club, on September 27 for the start of the season.
Josh was selected Midseason All-NBA G League for the Western Conference after appearing in 26 games with the Hustle. After that, he was called up by the Grizzlies, averaging 20.3 points, 4.3 assists, 1.4 blocks, 7.5 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game.
After playing for the Grizzles for the 2019-20 season, Josh signed with his hometown team, the Detroit Pistons, on December 1, 2026.
Josh played for the Pistons for a year. Then, he was acquired by the Sacramento Kings in a four-team transaction on February 10, 2026.
Josh Jackson: Age, Body Measurements & More
The basketball player, Josh Jackson, was born in 1997. So, Jaylen is currently 28 years old.
Likewise, according to the Chinese calendar, Jackson was born in the Ox year.
Josh Jackson (Source: Instagram)Josh stands at the height of 6 feet 8 inches (2.03 m) and weighs 91 kg (200 lbs). Furthermore, his wingspan is 6’9.75,” and his standing reach is 8’3”.
The player’s afro hair and thin body composition distinguish him. Moreover, the player also has multiple tattoos inked on his body.
Josh Jackson: Relationships
Josh repeatedly shares the picture of his little girl child, Romina, on Instagram. However, the player has never mentioned anything about who the child’s mother is.
Josh Jackson with his daughter. (Source: Instagram)Whatsoever, according to sources, the mother of Josh’s child is Lorena Villela. Lorena is almost nineteen years older than Josh. As a result, this news got particular attention on social media.
Moreover, it is reported that the couple does not live together currently.
Marijuana Controversy
In 2019, Lorena Villela claimed that Josh smoked marijuana around their daughter and got her high on the substance.
On June 4, 2019, Villela filed court filings and stated that she smelt marijuana when she picked up her daughter from Jackson’s house on June 2.
Villela also stated that their child seemed to be high during a visit with Jackson on May 22.
However, Josh Jackson firmly rejected those slanderous and distressing charges. He said that he would never jeopardize his daughter’s or any other child’s safety. Period.
Josh Jackson: Ex-Girlfriend
Josh Jackson has been linked to a connection with a woman named Kysre Gondrezick. Kysre, like Jackson, is a basketball player for the West Virginia Mountaineers women’s basketball team.
She previously represented the state of Michigan, winning the Michigan Miss Basketball Award in 2016.
Grant Gondrezick and his wife Lisa Harvey-Gondrezick gave birth to the female basketball prodigy on July 27, 1997.
Kysre is from an athletic family; her father was a professional basketball player for the Phoenix Suns from 1986 to 1998, and her mother was a Louisiana Tech player.
Kalabrya, her younger sister, also plays collegiate basketball at Michigan State University.
However, the two never confirmed their connection and were only spotted together multiple times.
Josh Jackson Breaking Rules
On May 12, 2019, Josh was arrested in Miami during a Rolling Loud performance for allegedly attempting to access the VIP entrance many times. The player also attempted to dodge police while being apprehended.
The player was also suspended from the Memphis Grizzlies G-League squad for breaking team rules.
Vandalism Case
The Kansas City Star reported on February 2, 2017, that Josh and his Kansas teammate LaGerald Vick were people of interest in a case of vandalism. The case happened outside a bar in Lawrence the previous December.
Josh and Vick were accused of causing damage to McKenzie Calvert’s automobile, a KU women’s basketball player, and Vick’s ex-girlfriend.
She told police that Josh shouted, “for her to get out of the car and that he would beat her ass” before wrecking her car during the argument outside the pub.
Following a police investigation, Josh was charged with one count of minor criminal damage to property. He was set to appear in court on April 12.
After the accusations were made, Josh issued a statement apologizing for his part in the event and offering to pay for damages.
Following Josh’s arrest, KU basketball coach Bill Self indicated that Josh had been penalized internally by the administration. However, Josh would not be banned from games as a result of his conduct in the event.
After pleading not guilty to the vandalism charges, the player applied for a 12-month diversion program in Douglas County Court.
Josh also agreed to take an anger management course and perform community service as part of the arrangement.
He also vowed to refrain from using alcohol and drugs during the diversion time and to have a substance addiction evaluation. Moreover, the player also wrote an apology letter to the victims.
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Josh Jackson: Net Worth
According to reports, Josh’s net worth is expected to be between $1 million and $5 million. He makes the majority of his net worth by playing basketball.
Jackson signed a two-year, $9,772,350 contract with the Detroit Pistons, with $9,772,350 guaranteed and an annual average salary of $4,886,175.
Moreover, the player is projected to make a base salary of $5,005,350 in 2026-22 with the Sacramento Kings, with a cap hit of $5,005,350 and a dead cap value of $5,005,350
Apart from his playing career, the player also earns a hefty amount of money from various sponsorships and endorsement deals.
Josh inked a multi-year endorsement agreement with Under Armour on June 21, 2017, the day before the 2017 NBA draft.
The player was later joined by Thunder guard Terrance Ferguson, and Mavericks guard Dennis Smith Jr. in signing with Under Armour as part of the 2017 draft class.
Josh Jackson: Social Media
Josh Jackson is active on various social media platforms. You can find the links to his social media accounts below;
256k followers
57.7k followers
Unfortunately, the player is currently not available on Facebook.
Frequently Asked Question
What are Josh Jackson’s off-court interests?
Josh has mentioned chess and saxophone as his off-court interests. The player founded the Justin-Siena High School chess club. Moreover, he has been playing the saxophone since the eighth grade.
Aayusha Bhattarai
Aayusha Bhattarai is a dedicated writer with a passion for uncovering the fascinating stories behind athletes' lives. With a keen eye for detail and a knack for storytelling, she brings readers on a journey through the triumphs, struggles, and inspirations of their favorite players.
Expertise:
Athlete Profiles Net Worth
Highlights
- Aayusha explores the off-field lives of athletes, from their hobbies and interests to their family dynamics.
- She keeps readers informed with the latest news and developments in the world of sports.
Experience
Aayusha's passion for sports journalism stems from her love of both writing and athletics. With a background in journalism and a keen interest in sports, she combines her talents to deliver compelling stories that resonate with readers.
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