Miami Heat

By Stephen Diener |

Sources: Miami Heat and Marlin Players Test Positive for Coronavirus

Derrick Jones Jr.
Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. celebrates a three-point shot during the first half of an NBA basketball game against the Charlotte Hornets, Wednesday, March 11, 2020, in Miami. (AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

Miami Heat forward Derrick Jones Jr. has tested positive for COVID-19, according to multiple local sources.

The NBA began testing players for the coronavirus this week, as the league prepares to start playing again next month at Disney’s Wide World of Sports complex near Orlando.

Jones, who is the reigning NBA slam dunk contest champion, still plans to play next month, according to the Associated Press.

The team has not commented so far.

The 23-year-old Jones is averaging a career-best 8.9 points and 4.2 rebounds this season and enters free agency after this year.

Other NBA players have reportedly tested positive for COVID-19 this week, including the Denver Nuggets’ Nikola Jokic, Indiana Pacers’ Malcolm Brogdon and Sacramento Kings’ Buddy Hield, Jabari Parker and Alex Len.

League officials believe that starting a testing regimen now will give players with positive results enough time to recover and get back with their teams before games start on July 30.

The season will resume with 22 teams going to Central Florida to conclude the regular season and then playoffs. The Heat have already clinched a playoff berth.

The NBA has been on hold since March 11, when Utah Jazz center Rudy Gobert tested positive for COVID-19.

According to several other reports, a Miami Marlins player has also tested positive for COVID-19 during individual workouts at the team’s spring training facility in Jupiter.

The player, who has not been identified, last used the training facility at Roger Dean Chevrolet Stadium in early June.

The Miami Herald says he did not have interaction with any of his Marlins teammates while there.