The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

JONQUEL Jones celebrated Tuesday’s new contract announcement with the Connecticut Sun with her most dominant performance on the FIBA EuroLeague Women’s circuit.

Jones finished with a season high 28 points and 11 rebounds to lead UMMC Ekaterinburg to a 93-67 road win over Perfumerias Avenida in the penultimate game of the EuroLeague regular season in Salamanca, Spain.

Ekaterinburg (13-0) looks to complete the regular season undefeated when they host MBA Moscow on February 23 at MC Sport Place in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

In 10 games, Jones averaged 16.4 points and nine rebounds per game while shooting 61 percent from the field and 48 percent from three-point range.

The Sun recently announced that the reigning WNBA MVP signed a multi-year contract to return to the Sun. “I am so happy to be back in Connecticut,” said Jones. “This organisation has believed in me since day one and I definitely feel like we have unfinished business. The fans want it, the front office wants it and the players want it. So now we just have to go out and get it done and bring a championship back to Mohegan Sun.”

Jones is one of five former MVPs in this year’s free agent class and seven of the 10 players from last season’s All-WNBA teams. The 2022 free agent class is also highlighted by Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), A’Ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces), Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Jewell Lloyd (Seattle Storm) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky).

Sun captain Jasmine Thomas said: “Jonquel is the best player in the world, so of course I’m happy she’s back with the Sun. She’s the core of our organisation, and she’s an incredible teammate and person. JJ’s passion is contagious, along with her competitiveness and work ethic. I have no doubt she will lead us to a championship.”

In her fifth WNBA season, Jones received 48 of 49 first-place votes and 487 total points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters to win the league’s MVP.

She was unanimously selected to the 2021 All- WNBA First Team. It was the first time Jones received First Team honours. She was previously named to the Second Team twice. She averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.26 blocked shots, and 1.26 steals in 31.7 minutes in 27 games.

The 6’6” forward led the WNBA in rebounding and defensive rebounding (8.7 per game) and ranked fourth in scoring and 10th in blocks.

“We are ecstatic about JJ’s decision to return and continue her career in Connecticut,” said Miller.

“She is one of the most versatile and talented players in the world. She has a burning desire to improve, and we look forward to building upon the momentum of her MVP season.

“JJ is an unselfish superstar and is driven to help bring a championship to Connecticut. This is a great day for the Sun.”