16 THE FREEPORT NEWS Friday, January 19, 2018 SPORTS Jones favored to win MVP in competitive WCBA GRAND BAHAMIAN PERFORMING AT HIGH EFFICIENCY LEVEL onquel Jones continues on a whirlwind path, while playing against the best of her world peers. Last off-WNBA (Women National Basketball Association) season, Jones who hails from the Holmes Rock community in West Grand Bahama, played in South Korea for the Woori Bank Wibee squad of the Women Korean Basketball League (WKBL). She led Woori to the regular schedule and championship round titles. J In the process, she secured the season’s top player award, inclusive of dominating in her specialty category, rebounding. Back in the WNBA for her second year with the Connecticut Sun, Jones roared through the season, leading her team into post-season action. Otherwise, she became the greatest single season rebounder in WNBA history, with a record 403 total and was named the Most Improved Player, after previously being selected to start the All-Star Classic and highlighting that event with a sensational dunk. The Bahamian standout cemented her status as one of the world’s best basketball players. How would she add to what was already accomplished in just two years out of George Washington College, as the No.6 fi rst round WNBA draft selection? Well, it was off to China for this off-season, to perform in the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association (WCBA), the country’s top level of competition for females. On Wednesday past, after her new team Shanxi Xing Rui team had completed 26 regular season games, she had the squad in third place with a 19-7 record and assured of a play- off spot. Jones had won eight “Top Player” awards in 25 rounds. To emphasize the superior level she has played at, I compare her to three other noted WNBA stars, playing in China this off-season as well. Natasha Howard won three “Top Player” awards; Sylvia Fowles won two and Brianna Stewart also captured two. They were a good bit off the consistency pace set by Jones. The view here is that Jones is a shoo-in for the MVP. If she doesn’t get it, “highway robbery” would be an understatement. Jones has a lock on the rebound title. She averaged 18.3 in 26 games. Her scoring average (third place) stood at 28.8 following the 93-77 victory on Wednesday over Sichuan. Jones played just 26 minutes as the non-starters were given court time in the fourth quarter. Still, Jones, shooting 5-8 from the fi eld and 6-7 from the charity line, scored 16 points, pulled down 18 rebounds, had four assists and two blocked shots. The Bahamian center/forward has performed at a high level of effi ciency. Her fi eld goal percentage after Wednesday’s game was 68.3, to go with hitting on 79.3 of her free throws. She has av- eraged 2.9 assists, 1.4 steals and 1.6 blocks while playing 33.3 minutes per game. She is quickly putting up numbers that will cement her as one of the all-time great female basketball players in history. Some might be prompted to ask a question. “Is she all that?” Yes, Jonquel Orthea Jones is that good! • To respond to this column, kindly contact Fred Sturrup at [email protected] or on WhatsApp at 727-6363. SPORTS SCOPE BY FRED STURRUP To emphasize the superior lev- el she has played at, I compare “her to three other noted WNBA stars, playing in China this off -season as well. Natasha Howard won three “Top Player” awards; Sylvia Fowles won two and Brianna Stewart also captured two.” TOPS IN WCBA Grand Bahamian Jonquel Jones, pictured, is putting up numbers in the Wom- en’s Chinese Basketball Association that should lead to the MVP..