Jonquel Jones - The Best Kept Secret
BASKETBALL - FORWARD/CENTER - BOSNIAN NATIONAL TEAM - WNBA - CONNECTICUT SUN
ARCHETYPE: THE BEST KEPT SECRET
Day 126/135
Athletic Accomplishments
Jonquel Jones is a 6’6” power forward/center and the leading MVP candidate, who plays for the Connecticut Sun, currently in first place in the WNBA Eastern Conference.
Jones attended Clemson and George Washington University in college, where she won Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year in 2015. In 2016, she was the sixth pick in the WNBA Draft, acquired by the Connecticut Sun.
After completing her rookie year in the WNBA, Jones spent the 2016–17 off-season playing with Asan Woori Bank Wibee of the Women's Korean Basketball League, where she won a championship with the team and was selected as Finals MVP.
Returning to the WNBA from the WKBL, Jones had elevated her game to a whole new level, exploding onto the scene and finishing the 2017 season as a WNBA All-Star, rebounding leader, All-WNBA Second Team, and Most Improved Player. She attributes her growth to the coaching at Woori Bank.
Since then, Jones has continued to have a huge impact on the league and her team as a three-time All-Star, the 2018 Sixth Woman of the Year, the 2019 blocks leader, and two-time WNBA rebounding leader (2017, 2019).
Despite being born in the Bahamas, Jones plays for the Bosnian national team, allowing her to play in European leagues and tournaments that provide a strong financial upside. The drawback is that Jones had to leave the Sun mid-season for a quick trip to the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket tournament, where she led Bosnia’s Lady Dragons to four wins—securing the team a spot in the World Cup qualifying tournaments. In the quarterfinals against France, Jones pulled down 24 boards, setting a single game record for rebounds. Is Jones Bosnian? Nope. But Bosnia offered her a roster spot and the financial package, and Jones has taken the opportunity. Can you blame her?
Character Archetype: The Best Kept Secret
Jonquel Jones is one of the best bigs in the WNBA today. Never heard of her? Blame sports media gatekeepers, editors, and personalities because you are missing something special. But at this point, Jones—the leading contender to be this season’s WNBA MVP—is probably used to being slept on.
Jones never went to a big name college. She started at Clemson then transferred to George Washington University, where she was the 2015 A-10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year. In 2016, she was the sixth pick in the WNBA Draft, heading to the Connecticut Sun, where she’s already been a three-time All-Star.
Jones can do it all. Inside, outside, defense, offense… This season, she’s averaging over 20 points and 10 rebounds per game, and shooting 49% from three-point range. Even more impressive? In 100 offensive possessions, the Sun average 109.5 points with Jones on the floor, compared to 78.4 when she’s not. Too bad she’s doing big things in a small media market.
Your favorite player’s favorite player, quietly doing the work and getting none of the shine, despite the fact that the Sun are leading the Eastern Conference in the wins column. A 6’6” MVP contender shouldn’t be a big secret. Jones has been hiding in plain sight.