Last Updated on October 8, 2026 by Candida Lucia
David Jones Garcia is a Dominican professional basketball player for the San Antonio Spurs in the NBA. Born on November 24, 2001, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, Jones Garcia developed his basketball career in his home country before moving to the United States and playing college basketball at DePaul University, St. John’s University and the University of Memphis. His journey to the NBA has been shaped by his family’s support, particularly the influence of his late father, who introduced him to basketball during childhood.
David Jones Garcia’s family includes his mother, Rafaela Garcia, his late father, David Apolinar Jones, and three siblings: Flor Elena, Flor Jelissa and Rafael David. His older sister, Flor Elena, is a former professional basketball player who won two Dominican women’s basketball championships. Although Jones Garcia has spoken extensively about his parents and siblings, he has maintained privacy regarding his romantic relationships and whether he has children.
David Jones Garcia’s Girlfriend: Is He Dating Anyone?
David Jones Garcia has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend or being involved in a romantic relationship. As of now, there is no reliable public information identifying a current girlfriend, wife or romantic partner.
Despite gaining considerable attention following his performances for the San Antonio Spurs, Jones Garcia has generally kept his dating life away from public scrutiny.
His interviews and social media activity primarily focus on basketball, his Dominican heritage and his close relationships with family members.
During his college basketball career at DePaul, St. John’s and Memphis, he frequently discussed his ambitions of reaching the NBA and providing a better life for his mother and siblings.
Those interviews did not establish the identity of a romantic partner.
His public profile increased significantly in July 2025 when he delivered impressive performances during the NBA Summer League, earning a two-way contract with the San Antonio Spurs.
However, his growing popularity has not been accompanied by a verified announcement about his relationship status.
Although Jones Garcia may have a private romantic life, there is insufficient reliable information to establish whether he is currently dating someone.
David Jones Garcia’s Children: Does He Have Any Kids?
There is no publicly verified information indicating that David Jones Garcia has children. The San Antonio Spurs guard has not publicly announced the birth of a son or daughter, and established basketball biographies do not identify him as a father.
Born in November 2001, Jones Garcia began his NBA career after several years of college basketball and professional experience in the NBA G League.
Most publicly documented information about his personal life concerns his mother, his late father and his three siblings.
He has consistently expressed his desire to provide financial security and better opportunities for his relatives.
In a November 2023 interview with The Commercial Appeal, Jones Garcia described his ambition to purchase a large apartment building where every member of his immediate family could have a separate home.
He envisioned naming the property the Jones Building, reflecting his commitment to supporting his loved ones.
However, his statements about caring for his family do not establish that he has children of his own.
As of now, David Jones Garcia has no publicly confirmed children.
David Jones Garcia’s Parents: Who Are His Mother and Father?
David Jones Garcia was born to David Apolinar Jones and Rafaela Garcia in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
His parents raised four children in the Mejoramiento Social neighborhood of the Dominican capital, where financial difficulties were part of everyday life.
Despite limited resources, they encouraged their children to pursue education, athletics and opportunities for personal development.
His father introduced him to basketball at approximately six years old, while his mother supported his ambitions and helped him adjust to life in the United States.
Both parents played important roles in his development, and Jones Garcia has repeatedly credited them with helping him avoid negative influences while growing up.
David Jones Garcia’s Father: David Apolinar Jones
David Apolinar Jones was the father of NBA player David Jones Garcia. He lived in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and worked to support his family while encouraging his children’s athletic ambitions.
According to a July 2025 interview published by the San Antonio Express-News, David described his father as a hardworking man who was willing to undertake different jobs to provide for his household.
Although his father never established a professional basketball career, he enjoyed playing basketball recreationally in his neighborhood.
His enthusiasm for the sport eventually influenced his children, particularly David and his older sister, Flor Elena.
When David was approximately six years old, his father took him to a local basketball court for the first time.
The experience immediately captured the young boy’s attention.
From that point forward, basketball became an important part of his childhood.
His father regularly accompanied him to practices, tournaments and other basketball activities throughout Santo Domingo.
As David began representing the Dominican Republic in international youth competitions, his father continued providing transportation and encouragement.
He also ensured that his son had food and the necessary support to continue playing.
Jones Garcia later explained that his father’s dedication helped him recognize basketball as a possible pathway toward a better future.
In a 2025 interview with FIBA, the player credited his parents with helping him remain focused and specifically identified his father as the person responsible for introducing him to basketball.
When Did David Jones Garcia’s Father Die?
David Apolinar Jones died on February 3, 2023, following a heart-related illness.
His death occurred while his son was playing college basketball for St. John’s University in New York.
Jones Garcia temporarily stepped away from the basketball program and returned to the Dominican Republic to attend his father’s funeral.
He missed two games before returning to the team.
On February 11, 2023, he scored 16 points in St. John’s victory over nationally ranked Providence, delivering a meaningful performance shortly after the loss.
His father’s death became one of the most difficult experiences of his basketball career.
However, Jones Garcia continued pursuing his professional ambitions, motivated by his desire to honor his father’s memory.
He subsequently had tattoos dedicated to his father, including his name, important dates and the nickname El Varón, meaning “The Man.”
During his time at the University of Memphis, he also wore jersey number eight in tribute to his father’s birthday on December 8.
In a July 2025 interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Jones Garcia explained that his father remained one of his greatest inspirations.
He credited him with introducing him to basketball, supporting his participation in Dominican national team programs and helping him develop the confidence necessary to pursue professional opportunities.
David Jones Garcia’s Mother: Rafaela Garcia
Rafaela Garcia is David Jones Garcia’s mother and one of the most important people in his life.
She raised David and his three siblings in Santo Domingo alongside her husband, David Apolinar Jones.
Although the family experienced financial difficulties, Rafaela worked to provide her children with a supportive environment and encouraged them to pursue their ambitions.
Her influence became especially significant when David decided to move to the United States to pursue basketball.
In 2016, Jones Garcia enrolled at Teays Valley Christian School in West Virginia.
The move represented a major transition for a teenager who had spent his childhood in the Dominican Republic.
At the time, David spoke very little English and struggled to communicate with classmates and teachers.
He also missed his family and found it difficult to adjust to American culture.
In a November 2023 interview with The Commercial Appeal, he recalled frequently calling his mother while crying and asking to return home.
However, Rafaela encouraged him to remain in the United States and continue working toward his basketball ambitions.
Although the separation was difficult, she believed that the educational and athletic opportunities available to her son could improve his future.
Jones Garcia later recognized the importance of his mother’s encouragement and credited his parents with helping him overcome the challenges associated with moving abroad.
Rafaela Garcia’s Influence on Her Son’s NBA Dream
Rafaela Garcia continued supporting David throughout his college basketball career.
Despite living in different countries, the two maintained regular communication through telephone calls and video conversations.
In November 2023, The Commercial Appeal published an interview highlighting their close relationship.
During the conversation, David called his mother through FaceTime and helped translate her comments from Spanish into English.
Rafaela expressed confidence in her son’s abilities and praised the work of Memphis head coach Penny Hardaway.
She believed that the university’s basketball program was helping David develop the skills necessary to achieve his NBA dream.
For his part, Jones Garcia explained that he regularly contacted his family to remind them how much he loved them.
He also revealed that he had tattooed the names of his closest relatives on his arms, including his mother’s name, Rafaela.
The tattoos represent his commitment to maintaining strong family connections despite the demands of professional basketball.
Following his father’s death, Rafaela remained an important source of encouragement as he continued pursuing his career.
In 2025, Jones Garcia also began publicly using his maternal surname, Garcia, as part of his professional basketball identity.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, the decision was intended to honor his mother’s family heritage.
David Jones Garcia’s Siblings: Does He Have Brothers or Sisters?
David Jones Garcia has three publicly documented siblings: two sisters named Flor Elena and Flor Jelissa, and a younger brother named Rafael David.
Their names are confirmed in the official basketball biographies published by St. John’s University and the University of Memphis.
The four siblings grew up together in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, where their parents encouraged them to pursue education and athletics.
While David became an NBA player, his older sister, Flor Elena, also enjoyed success in competitive basketball.
Flor Elena Jones Garcia – David Jones Garcia’s Older Sister
Flor Elena Jones Garcia is David Jones Garcia’s oldest sister and a former basketball player who competed in the Dominican Republic’s women’s basketball league.
She developed her interest in basketball during childhood and played an important role in introducing her younger brother to competitive sports.
According to an interview published by Diario Libre in May 2025, Flor Elena represented Murallas de San Lázaro, a Dominican women’s basketball team.
During her playing career, she helped the team win two championships in the Liga Nacional de Baloncesto Femenino.
Her achievements made her an important role model for David, who was several years younger.
In the Diario Libre interview, Jones Garcia praised his sister’s basketball abilities and suggested that she had been an even more talented player than him during their younger years.
He explained that he admired her competitive personality, physical strength and determination on the basketball court.
Both siblings developed their skills through activities at the Rosa Duarte basketball club in Santo Domingo.
Their father regularly accompanied them to practices and helped encourage their development.
Although Flor Elena eventually retired from competitive basketball, her influence remained important to David.
Flor Elena Jones Garcia’s Military Career
Following her basketball career, Flor Elena pursued opportunities outside professional sports.
According to reporting by The Commercial Appeal in November 2023, she became a member of the United States Navy and lived in Florida.
Her military career required her to spend considerable time away from her family, but she maintained a close relationship with her younger brother.
In March 2024, Flor Elena surprised David during the University of Memphis basketball team’s Senior Day celebrations.
She traveled from Florida to Memphis without informing him that she would attend.
When she appeared during the pregame ceremony at FedExForum, David reacted emotionally.
The siblings embraced for more than a minute as spectators celebrated the unexpected reunion.
Jones Garcia later admitted that he had become emotional because he had not seen his sister in person for some time.
The moment demonstrated the close relationship between the siblings and the importance of family support throughout his basketball career.
Flor Jelissa Jones Garcia – David Jones Garcia’s Younger Sister
Flor Jelissa Jones Garcia is David Jones Garcia’s younger sister.
Her identity is confirmed in the official player biographies published by St. John’s University and the University of Memphis.
She grew up alongside David and their other siblings in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
Although Flor Jelissa has maintained a relatively private life, she is an important member of the family that has supported David throughout his basketball journey.
In his November 2023 interview with The Commercial Appeal, Jones Garcia revealed that he had tattooed his younger sister’s name on his left forearm.
The tattoo was included alongside the names of his mother and older sister.
He explained that the names of his family members represented the people who motivated him to continue working toward his goals.
Unlike David and Flor Elena, Flor Jelissa has not received extensive public attention for a professional sporting career.
Reliable public information about her current education, occupation and personal relationships remains limited.
Nevertheless, her inclusion in her brother’s tattoos and family interviews reflects the importance of their relationship.
Rafael David Jones Garcia – David Jones Garcia’s Younger Brother
Rafael David Jones Garcia is David Jones Garcia’s younger brother.
His name appears in the official basketball biographies published by St. John’s University and the University of Memphis.
He grew up in the Dominican Republic alongside David and their sisters.
Although Rafael has maintained a relatively private life, his older brother has repeatedly emphasized the importance of supporting every member of the family.
In November 2023, Jones Garcia revealed that his younger brother’s name was tattooed on his right forearm alongside their father’s name.
The tribute reflected his commitment to his younger brother and his desire to maintain family unity.
David also expressed his ambition to provide housing and greater financial security for his relatives once he achieved professional success.
His goal included eventually acquiring a building where each family member could have an apartment.
There is limited reliable public information about Rafael David’s current education, profession or personal interests.
However, his relationship with David remains part of the family’s publicly documented story.
David Jones Garcia’s Childhood in the Dominican Republic
David Jones Garcia grew up in Mejoramiento Social, a neighborhood in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic.
His childhood was shaped by strong family relationships, a passion for sports and the financial challenges experienced by many families in his community.
In a February 2025 interview reported by Dominican media, Jones Garcia acknowledged that his family occasionally experienced difficulties affording basic necessities.
He also credited his parents with teaching him discipline and helping him avoid negative influences in his neighborhood.
During childhood, he initially participated in baseball, the Dominican Republic’s most popular sport.
However, basketball gradually became his main passion after his father introduced him to the game.
His older sister, Flor Elena, recalled that David spent so much time on neighborhood basketball courts that family members often had to search for him.
According to her November 2023 interview with The Commercial Appeal, he regularly played basketball outdoors for hours, sometimes without shoes.
Those experiences helped develop his competitiveness and determination.
As he grew older, David began attracting attention through Dominican youth basketball competitions.
His performances eventually earned him opportunities to represent the Dominican Republic internationally.
After displaying his abilities in youth tournaments, he moved to the United States to continue his education and basketball development.
Although the transition was difficult, his family’s encouragement helped him remain focused on his long-term ambitions.
How David Jones Garcia’s Family Influenced His Basketball Career
David Jones Garcia’s basketball journey began in Santo Domingo, where his father introduced him to the sport when he was approximately six years old.
His older sister also played competitive basketball, creating an environment in which he could learn from family members with experience in the game.
As a teenager, Jones Garcia represented the Dominican Republic in international youth basketball competitions.
He participated in the 2016 Centrobasket Under-15 Championship, the 2017 FIBA Under-16 Americas Championship and other international tournaments.
His impressive performances helped attract attention from American basketball programs.
He subsequently enrolled at Teays Valley Christian School in West Virginia, where he continued developing his skills.
Following high school, Jones Garcia committed to DePaul University in Chicago.
During the 2021-22 season, he averaged 14.5 points and 7.4 rebounds per game for the Blue Demons.
On February 9, 2022, he made history by recording the first triple-double in DePaul men’s basketball history, finishing with 22 points, 14 rebounds and 10 assists against Georgetown.
He later transferred to St. John’s University for the 2022-23 season.
Although he continued developing as a player, that period was overshadowed by his father’s death in February 2023.
After the season, Jones Garcia transferred to the University of Memphis, where he played under head coach Penny Hardaway.
During the 2023-24 season, he averaged 21.8 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.2 steals per game.
His performances earned him First Team All-American Athletic Conference recognition and established him as one of the country’s leading college scorers.
After going undrafted in the 2024 NBA Draft, Jones Garcia continued pursuing professional opportunities through NBA training camps and the G League.
He spent time with the Philadelphia 76ers and Utah Jazz organizations before playing for the Mexico City Capitanes.
His performances in Mexico City and the Dominican Republic helped him attract additional attention from NBA teams.
In July 2025, he joined the San Antonio Spurs for the NBA Summer League.
He impressed the team’s coaching staff with his scoring efficiency, defensive energy and ability to play multiple positions.
San Antonio subsequently signed him to a two-way contract.
David Jones Garcia Fulfills His Promise to His Father
One of the most emotional moments in Jones Garcia’s career occurred on October 22, 2025, when he made his NBA debut for the San Antonio Spurs against the Dallas Mavericks.
According to the San Antonio Express-News, he entered the game during the fourth quarter and recorded five points and two assists.
Although the appearance was brief, it represented the fulfillment of a promise he had made to his late father.
Before David Apolinar Jones died in 2023, his son had promised that he would eventually play in an NBA game.
Making his debut therefore carried significance beyond his personal sporting achievements.
It represented years of sacrifice, family support and determination to honor his father’s memory.
Jones Garcia continued developing with San Antonio and its NBA G League affiliate, the Austin Spurs.
In February 2026, he underwent ankle surgery, ending his 2025-26 season.
On July 22, 2026, the Spurs reportedly agreed to another two-way contract with him, providing an opportunity to continue his professional development.
His journey from the Dominican Republic to the NBA remains closely connected to the support of his mother, father and siblings.
Why David Jones Garcia Added Garcia to His Name
David Jones Garcia was previously widely known in American college basketball as David Jones.
However, he later began using his full family name, David Jones Garcia, during his professional career.
In a July 2025 interview with the San Antonio Express-News, the player explained that he had added Garcia to honor his maternal family heritage.
His father’s surname is Jones, while Garcia comes from his mother, Rafaela Garcia.
The decision reflects the importance he places on recognizing both sides of his family.
It also highlights his Dominican identity and the cultural traditions that shaped his upbringing.
His full name, David Apolinar Jones Garcia, is listed in official basketball biographies published by St. John’s University and the University of Memphis.
Frequently Asked Questions About David Jones Garcia’s Family
Who is David Jones Garcia’s girlfriend?
David Jones Garcia has not publicly confirmed having a girlfriend. There is currently no reliable information identifying a romantic partner.
Is David Jones Garcia married?
There are no verified public reports indicating that David Jones Garcia is married or has a wife.
Does David Jones Garcia have children?
There is no publicly confirmed information indicating that David Jones Garcia has any children.
Who is David Jones Garcia’s father?
His father was David Apolinar Jones, who introduced him to basketball during childhood. He died on February 3, 2023, following a heart-related illness.
Who is David Jones Garcia’s mother?
His mother is Rafaela Garcia, who raised four children in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and supported David throughout his basketball development.
How many siblings does David Jones Garcia have?
David Jones Garcia has three siblings: two sisters named Flor Elena and Flor Jelissa, and a younger brother named Rafael David.
Who is David Jones Garcia’s older sister?
His older sister is Flor Elena Jones Garcia, a former basketball player who won two Dominican women’s basketball league championships with Murallas de San Lázaro. She has also served in the United States Navy.
Who is David Jones Garcia’s younger sister?
His younger sister is Flor Jelissa Jones Garcia, who has maintained a relatively private life.
Who is David Jones Garcia’s brother?
His younger brother is Rafael David Jones Garcia, whose name is confirmed in David’s official university basketball biographies.
Where is David Jones Garcia’s family from?
David Jones Garcia and his family are from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. He grew up in the Mejoramiento Social neighborhood of the capital.
What is David Jones Garcia’s full name?
His full name is David Apolinar Jones Garcia. He was previously widely known as David Jones during his American college basketball career.
Why does David Jones Garcia wear number eight?
During his time at Memphis, Jones Garcia wore jersey number eight in tribute to his late father, whose birthday was December 8.
When did David Jones Garcia’s father pass away?
His father died on February 3, 2023, while Jones Garcia was attending St. John’s University in New York.
Did David Jones Garcia’s sister play professional basketball?
Yes. His older sister Flor Elena played for Murallas de San Lázaro and won two championships in the Dominican Republic’s women’s basketball league.
What NBA team does David Jones Garcia play for?
David Jones Garcia is associated with the San Antonio Spurs, who signed him to a two-way contract in July 2025 and reportedly renewed the agreement in July 2026.
Candida Lucia is a sports journalist and NBA writer specializing in tactical game analysis, player development, and league coverage. With an eye for on-court execution and team dynamics, she delivers detailed breakdowns of strategy, roster updates, and key performance trends. Passionate about bringing readers closer to the game, Candida offers engaging insights on every aspect of the NBA season, from regular-season battles to the Finals.
