“I just wanted to prove that I could play here. I love playing in Connecticut (and) playing with this team, so I just wanted to prove that I belong here and that I could make an impact,” were Brionna Jones’ words ahead of the Florida Bubble in 2020 when Jonquel Jones told the Sun’s backup post player that she will not be joining them. And she delivered just that by becoming one of Sun’s most reliable players after DeWanna Bonner and Alyssa Thomas.
Since her first All-Star season in 2021, Brionna Jones has been riding the wave of her impressive trajectory. Voted as the league’s Most Improved Player besides earning the Sixth Player of the Year Award and of course, her second All-Star selection in 2022. However, this wave did see some barriers last season.
Brionna Jones feeling the pain
In June last year, Jones suffered a season-ending Achilles rupture, and with it came a year-long recovery period. Before her injury, she didn’t play on the floor for more than an average of 25 minutes in the first 10 games of the season.
After the injury, Jones spent most of her recovery while serving as an assistant coach for the women’s basketball team at her alma mater, the University of Maryland. Although, she was away from the Sun, however, this way she was a part of a team atmosphere. “I’m really proud of her, because that injury is not easy to come back from, and she was always — from day one — ahead of schedule,” said Sun Coach Stephanie White.
At Maryland, she was around a strong support system and also had the University’s top-tier medical and training staff at her disposal. Hence, she was positioning herself ready to play. This level of dedication exemplifies her hunger to be better and rise up.
Although, she was lonely in terms of being injured and feeling that pain; she was a huge asset to the Maryland program as she was carrying with herself an aura of her previous accolades like first-team All-American and 3x All-Big Ten selection. She was successful in leading the Terrapins to 3 Sweet 16 appearances and 2 Final Fours. That in itself was a huge morale booster as through Jones, the players had a unique experience of learning from her wisdom of all these years.
However, coming back this year, she picked up the slack just right.
Getting back in the game
Coming back, she defined her Sun teammates to be the force that pushed her towards greatness. As a result, she was able to get back in shape despite how hard it was. “I knew that coming back in, it wasn’t going to be easy trying to get back in shape, but it was easier when I had my teammates behind me with their support and staying in my ear. They were like ‘Bri, you’ve got to take these shots. We need you to do this.’ And I always want to do whatever I can for my team. But to be able to be back and playing at this level, it’s unbelievable almost.”
This season, Jones has been averaging 13 points, 5 rebounds, and 1.7 assists per game. More so, she is in the league’s top 5 players in field goal percentage shooting at 53.9%. And, she has been named to the WNBA All-Star for the third time. This year, she will be going up against her teammate Alyssa Thomas who is on the USA National Team.
Teaming with Jones will be her other Sun teammate, DeWanna Bonner, who has been to the All-Star games 5 times before this one. Hence, it is going to be a season to remember.
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