Jonquel Jones Captures First WNBA Title, Finals MVP
10/21/2024 8:46:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NEW YORK, N.Y. - GW Athletics Hall of Famer and women's basketball alumna Jonquel Jones has captured the 2024 WNBA Title and Finals MVP award after leading the New York Liberty to the franchise's first championship on Sunday night.
"We're incredibly proud and want to congratulate JJ on winning the 2024 WNBA Title and Finals MVP," said GW women's basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs. "JJ's hard work and dedication helped her shine on the game's biggest stage, and she continues to achieve new heights during her professional career. JJ is an incredible ambassador to our program, and we are thrilled to see what she accomplishes next."
Jones, who was selected sixth overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, became the first GW women's basketball player ever to be taken in the first round. What followed has been nothing short of a Hall of Fame career, which includes the 2017 WNBA Most Improved Award, the 2018 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, the 2021 KIA WNBA MVP, five WNBA All-Star selections, and five All-WNBA Team nods.
On Sunday night, Jones added arguably the most impressive and most coveted awards to her trophy cabinet. Averaging 17.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 2.2 APG in the series, Jones led the Liberty to a 67-62 overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the winner-take-all Game Five, capturing the franchise's first championship in 28 years of operation. Jones tallied a team-high 17 points and six rebounds in the clincher, the third time in the series she led the team in scoring.
During her time in Foggy Bottom, Jones put together one of the most impressive careers in GW history. The 2015 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year left the program as just the third player all-time to record 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 100 blocks. She led the nation in rebounding during her senior season, averaging 14.6 per game, while also securing two A-10 regular season and tournament championships.
In January of 2024, Jones was honored as an inductee into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame.
"We're incredibly proud and want to congratulate JJ on winning the 2024 WNBA Title and Finals MVP," said GW women's basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs. "JJ's hard work and dedication helped her shine on the game's biggest stage, and she continues to achieve new heights during her professional career. JJ is an incredible ambassador to our program, and we are thrilled to see what she accomplishes next."
Jones, who was selected sixth overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks, became the first GW women's basketball player ever to be taken in the first round. What followed has been nothing short of a Hall of Fame career, which includes the 2017 WNBA Most Improved Award, the 2018 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, the 2021 KIA WNBA MVP, five WNBA All-Star selections, and five All-WNBA Team nods.
On Sunday night, Jones added arguably the most impressive and most coveted awards to her trophy cabinet. Averaging 17.8 PPG, 7.2 RPG and 2.2 APG in the series, Jones led the Liberty to a 67-62 overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx in the winner-take-all Game Five, capturing the franchise's first championship in 28 years of operation. Jones tallied a team-high 17 points and six rebounds in the clincher, the third time in the series she led the team in scoring.
During her time in Foggy Bottom, Jones put together one of the most impressive careers in GW history. The 2015 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year left the program as just the third player all-time to record 1,000 points, 800 rebounds and 100 blocks. She led the nation in rebounding during her senior season, averaging 14.6 per game, while also securing two A-10 regular season and tournament championships.
In January of 2024, Jones was honored as an inductee into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame.
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