Jonquel Jones Secures First WNBA Title, Finals MVP

GW Athletics Hall of Famer and former women’s basketball star Jonquel Jones has secured the 2024 WNBA Championship and was named Finals MVP after leading the New York Liberty to their first-ever title on Sunday night. In the five-game series, Jones averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists. In Game 5, she scored a team-high 17 points, making half of her field goals and all of her free throws.

“We’re incredibly proud of JJ and congratulate her on winning the 2024 WNBA Title and Finals MVP,” said GW women’s basketball Head Coach Caroline McCombs. “Her hard work and dedication have allowed her to shine on the biggest stage, and she continues to reach new milestones in her professional career. JJ is a phenomenal ambassador for our program, and we’re excited to see what she accomplishes next.”

Georgetown University reports that Jones, the first GW women’s basketball player to be selected in the first round of the WNBA Draft, was picked sixth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in 2016. Since then, she has had an extraordinary career, earning accolades such as the 2017 WNBA Most Improved Player, 2018 WNBA Sixth Player of the Year, 2021 KIA WNBA MVP, five WNBA All-Star selections, and five All-WNBA Team honors.

On Sunday night, Jones added perhaps the most prestigious awards to her growing list. She averaged 17.8 points, 7.2 rebounds, and 2.2 assists per game in the Finals, leading the Liberty to a 67-62 overtime victory over the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 to secure the championship. Jones contributed a team-high 17 points and six rebounds in the decisive game, marking the third time in the series she led her team in scoring.

During her time at GW, Jones had one of the most outstanding careers in the program’s history. The 2015 Atlantic 10 Player of the Year and Defensive Player of the Year became just the third player in GW history to record 1,000 points, 800 rebounds, and 100 blocks. In her senior season, she led the nation in rebounding with an average of 14.6 per game and helped GW capture two A-10 regular season and tournament titles.

In January 2024, Jones was inducted into the GW Athletics Hall of Fame.

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This article was originally published on diversitycomm.net.