Brionna Jones' popularity in the WNBA

Brionna Jones’ career in the WNBA has been nothing short of extraordinary. The 6’3” center was drafted by the Connecticut Sun with the ninth overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft. She went on to have an immediate impact for her new team, starting 31 games and averaging 6.4 points and 4.9 rebounds per game in her rookie season. The following year, Jones took her game to new heights, starting all 34 games for the Sun while averaging 10.8 points and 6.5 rebounds per contest. But even with the challenges, Jones’ rookie season was a resounding success. She averaged 8.6 points and 4.9 rebounds in 23.1 minutes per game, shot 50.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from three-point range, and helped lead the Lynx to the WNBA Finals. She was also named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Jones’ ascent up the WNBA ranks continued in 2018 as she was named a WNBA All-Star for the first time in her career. She finished the season averaging 13.6 points and 7.7 rebounds per game, both of which were career-highs.

“I was really just trying to stay positive and be a great teammate,” Brionna Jones said of that conversation. “ obviously knew she was a great player, but I just tried to step into that role and fill the shoes the best that I could.” And fill them she did. While her teammates were WNBA All-Stars, Jones was putting in work and biding her time. And when her opportunity came, she made the most of it. And a big part of that success was due to the breakout performance of rookie center, Brionna Jones. “She always stayed ready,” Alyssa Thomas said of Jones. “You can never count Brionna out. She always works hard. She also focused on improving her footwork, an essential attribute for any post player. The work paid off as Jones became one of the WNBA’s most improved players, averaging 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game while shooting a career-best 57.1 percent from the field.