Jonquel Jones has an engaging smile, the youthful look of a 15-year-old, but the demeanor of a mature goodwill sports ambassador for The Commonwealth of The Bahamas. She is also tall, standing 6-5, actually 21 years old and happens to be an outstanding basketball player, well on the way to a status no other Bahamian female player as ever achieved. A junior at George Washington University, Jones is nipping at the heels of Waltiea Rolle, the Bahamian professional female basketball player with the top rating thus far.
Rolle has played in Europe and the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She is presently still pursuing her professional career in the United States. Jones is set however to move ahead of Rolle, and set the standard for female basketball in The Bahamas.
Along with chief mentor Coach Gladstone "Moon" McPhee, Jones paid me a visit recently. I remarked on her slim physique that belies her toughness on the basketball court.
"Yes, I'm slim but I'm pushing the weights and getting stronger. I'm feeling it," said a very much at ease Jones.
Questioned about the physicality of the sport she loves dearly, Jones smiled with the clear indication that on court, for her, it's business as usual.
"Yes opposing players like to bang, especially those with more size than I have, but it's never a problem for me. I just do what I have to do. I spend a lot of time working out and I'm always ready when the game is being played. I can handle those battles under the basket," she said confidently.
This year, Jonquel was very successful. Indeed, although she scored a leading 21 points, and her George Washington University Colonials bowed out in the first round of the Spokane Region National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Women's Championships, Jones could look back on the 2014-2015 season with great personal pride. She had one of those seasons that distinguish the great players from the just good ones. Her statistics were quite noteworthy.
Jones started 30 games and had a points average of 15.7; she played an average of 26.8 minutes per game; registered a field goal shooting percentage of 47.8; shot 66.4 from the free throw line; and averaged 12.5 rebounds a game. It's an excellent stat line, but her performance in reality dwarfed her game numbers. She anchored the colonials on offense and defense.
As a result, she was the Atlantic 10 Conference Player and Defensive Player of the Year. The double awards truly indicated her strong presence on court this past season for George Washington. Jones was also an All-Star selection in the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC); the Wisconsin Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Honorable Mention All-American; Associated Press (AP) Honorable Mention All-American; and of course the Colonials MVP.
With that resume, why didn't the junior go into the draft?
"I didn't opt for the draft because my education is a priority. Coach (Moon) always told me that I must make sure and get my education. I'm comfortable with the decision. I have goals for next year. I want to have a quality season again but most of all, I want the team to advance in the NCAA Tournament," said Jones.
The Freeport native surely seems headed for more milestones. Meanwhile she is enhancing the image of her country. Her Bahamian status is always emphasized. Jones' bubbly nature, top court talent and academic application make her one of the prize students of George Washington.
A Bahamian has made good. It's a feather in the national cap. She is a goodwill sports ambassador. Go Jonquel!
Part two in this series will be published on Tuesday, May 26.
o To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at Sturrup1504@gmail.com.
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