The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Tribune Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

IN the midst of contract negotiations with the Connecticut Sun during WNBA free agency, Jonquel Jones continues her series of dominant performances in the Russian Premier League.

Jones finished with 17 points, 12 rebounds and two blocked shots for her UMMC Ekaterinburg Foxes in their 93-37 win over Sparta and K yesterday in Ekaterinburg, Russia.

UMMC is perfect in both the Russian Premier League (16-0) and the FIBA Women’s EuroLeague (11-0).

Rachel Galligan of Just Women Sports first reported that Jones - the reigning MVP and one of the most sought after free agents of the 2022 class - is nearing a contract agreement to remain with the Sun.

“The multi-year deal she plans to sign with Connecticut is less than the ($228,094) supermax, according to sources, giving the team more cap space to work with in free agency,” Galligan said.

Just over two weeks ago, the Sun placed the core tag on Jones, which gave the franchise exclusive negotiating rights. Teams were officially able to begin negotiations with players on January 15, but deals cannot be finalised until February 1.

Jones is one of five former MVPs in this year’s free agent class and seven of the 10 players from last season’s All-WNBA teams. The 2022 free agent class is also highlighted by Breanna Stewart (Seattle Storm), A’Ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces), Liz Cambage (Las Vegas Aces), Sylvia Fowles (Minnesota Lynx), Kahleah Copper (Chicago Sky), Jewell Lloyd (Seattle Storm) and Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky).

In her fifth WNBA season, Jones received 48 of 49 first-place votes and 487 total points from a national panel of sportswriters and broadcasters to win the league’s MVP.

She was unanimously selected to the 2021 All- WNBA First Team. It was the first time Jones received First Team honours. She was previously named to the Second Team twice.

She averaged 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds, 2.8 assists, 1.26 blocked shots, and 1.26 steals in 31.7 minutes in 27 games.

The 6’6” forward led the WNBA in rebounding and defensive rebounding (8.7 per game) and ranked fourth in scoring and 10th in blocks. Her efficiency rating of 25.4 was second only to Griner. She also reached the 2,000 point plateau for her career.

The Sun finished 26-6 during the regular season and earned the No.1 overall seed in the postseason.

Connecticut’s other top returning scorers are DeWanna Bonner, Alyssa Thomas, Jasmine Thomas, Brionna Jones and Natasha Heideman.