The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones posted her fourth double double of the season in her return to FIBA Women’s EuroLeague play.

She finished with 17 points and 14 rebounds in her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes’ 84-63 win over MBA Moscow at Basket Hall Moscow Russia. The Foxes lead Group A at 6-0.

Through fourEuroLeague games, Jones is averaging 17 points, 10.8 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game. She is shooting 56 percent from the field and 46 percent from the free-throw line.

Last season, Jones averaged 14.5 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in EuroLeague play.

She also shot 74 percent from the field and a league-leading 62 percent (8-13) on thre-point field goals.

UMMC is favoured to repeat as EuroLeague champions for the 7th consecutive year, boasts a roster that also includes Brittney Griner (Phoenix Mercury), Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), Allie Quigley (Chicago Sky) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky).

UMMC also continues their unbeaten domestically in the Russian Premier League with wins over Enisey and Dynamo this week. Jones had 14 points and eight rebounds in a 76-44 win over Enisey and followed with 15 points and 11 rebounds in a 109-57 win over Dynamo.

Jones recently continued her momentum from a dominant performance for Bosnia and Herzegovina in the FIBA Women’s EuroBasket 2023 Qualifiers.

Jones finished with 30 points and 17 rebounds in an 80-64 win over North Macedonia and a career high 44 points and 22 rebounds in her team’s 87-81 win over Belgium.

After the game finished, Jones told Clutchpoints about the differences in the WNBA and international play.

She stated: “I think overseas in general, the crowd, has a bigger appreciation for women’s basketball. I think it is way better than it is in the WNBA. You can go from a game where the gym is full to some games where there are a few people in the stands. I do not think they fully appreciate women’s basketball and the level it is played at,” Jones said.

“When I come overseas I definitely always appreciate that and appreciate people loving us and watching us, and understanding that we put a lot of time in our game.

“I think that is the biggest difference. WNBA, talent wise, is up there, there is a lot of talent every night and every team can win. Overall, the atmosphere overseas is second to none.”