Jazmine Jones, the New York Liberty’s final pick of the first round, was named to the WNBA’s official All-Rookie team unveiled on Sunday.
Sabrina Ionescu was limited to three games in her rookie game, but the New York Liberty still enjoyed rookie representation in the WNBA’s All-Rookie Team unveiled on Sunday.
Jazmine Jones, the final pick of the WNBA Draft’s first round back in April, was named to the league’s official team, a squad headlined by 2020 Rookie of the Year Crystal Dangerfield of Minnesota. Jones, 23, is the fifth New Yorker to be named to the team’s official All-Rookie squad and the first since current teammate Kiah Stokes went with Brittany Boyd after the 2015 campaign.
After Ionescu was lost to an injury during the July 29 contest against Atlanta, Jones was called upon to spend more time in the point guard spot, a role she hadn’t played extensively partaken in since her high school days at the Florida A&M University Developmental Research School in Tallahassee. Taken 12th out of Louisville, Jones went on to be one of most consistent contributors on a young New York roster.
Jones finished at or near the top of almost every statistical category amongst rookies, leading every first-year players in steals (1.4 per game). She also earned an averaged 10.8 points over 21 games, a tally anchored by six consecutive games in double-figures. The former Cardinal, joined by her fellow rookie and 13th overall pick Kylee Shook, was also praised for her energy, as she was constantly shown dancing and encouraging teammates on the sidelines despite a tough, lost season.
“The main thing about Jaz is her energy,†head coach Walt Hopkins said about Jones when she took over for Ionescu. “When she brings her energy, no matter what, she brings us a lot. It’s defensive, it’s toughness, swagger. Jaz has been huge for us.â€
Joining Jones on the All-Rookie squad is Chennedy Carter (Atlanta), Ionescu’s college teammate Satou Sabally (Dallas), and Julie Allemand (Indiana).
The WNBA playoffs continue this week, with the Finals set to begin on Friday night (7 p.m. ET, ESPN2).
Geoff Magliocchetti is on Twitter @GeoffJMags