The Tribune

GEORGE Washington women’s basketball junior forward Jonquel Jones was named an honourable mention All-American by The Associated Press yesterday.

Jones, who garnered one first-team vote, is the fifth player in programme history to be recognised as an AP honourable mention All-American, joining Darlene Sear (‘95), Debbie Hemery (‘95), Cathy Joens (‘04) and Kimberly Beck (‘07, ‘08). In addition, she is the only player from the Atlantic 10 to receive the distinction this season.

The Atlantic 10 Player and Defensive Player of the Year - just the fourth player in conference history to win both awards in the same season - Jones is also one of 52 finalists for the 2015 WBCA Coaches’ All-America Team and was one of 30 midseason candidates for the prestigious Naismith Trophy, which recognises the national player of the year.

Jones was the only player in the A-10 to average a double-double this season. The Freeport, Bahamas, native led the league and ranked sixth nationally in rebounding (12.5 rpg) and was sixth in the conference in scoring (15.3 ppg), fourth in blocked shots (1.9 bpg) and 10th in field goal percentage (.478).

A seven-time A-10 Player of the Week this season, matching the second-most weekly awards in conference history, Jones posted a league-best 20 double-doubles, 10th-most in the NCAA. She set a school record with 375 rebounds on the year, shattering the previous mark of 346 which stood for more than two decades.

Jones will enter her senior year ranked ninth all-time at GW with 102 blocks and 15th with 625 boards in two seasons wearing the Buff and Blue.

Jones was named the Most Outstanding Player of the Atlantic 10 Championship after leading No. 19 GW (29-4, 15-1 A-10) to their first A-10 title since 2003 and fifth overall.

The Colonials also won the league’s regular-season crown, posted a programme-record for wins and made their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2008.

Jones’ long list of accolades this season also includes Most Valuable Player honours at the Junkanoo Jam in her hometown as the Colonials won the tournament’s Freeport Division title during the Thanksgiving break.