Haley Jones has the upmost potential as she begins her freshmen season for the Stanford Cardinals. As you can see in the title, Jones was ranked the number 1 player in the nation for women and there’s no question that she deserves this spot whole heartedly.
Jones is a fantastic guard who has a great perimeter shot. She spreads the floor out very well and can create opportunities for both herself and her teammates as well. From observing her during her tenure in high school, she always had a passion to win and tried to be the best leader that she could for her team.
“I love the rush that it gives me” Jones stated in an interview with Get Sports Focus. “I love to play with my teammates, basketball is just a really fun sport”. Jones seems to look at basketball as a way for her to have a good time by playing the game that she loves and people can easily tell she enjoys it by her passion she shows on the court.
Jones has been a dynamic force for Archbishop Mitty High School during her tenure averaging a total of 18.3 Points Per Game alongside 9.1 rebounds as well. As her High School career went on from Freshmen to Senior, her numbers continued to improve and she was named 2018 Gatorade California Player of the year. It seems that playing under Head Coach Sue Philips has benefitted Jones in the best way and she could not have had a high school career any better than what she had.
One player that Jones is comparable to as a dynamic wing player is WNBA legend Cappie Pondexter. Though Pondexter is shorter than Jones listing at 5”9, Pondexter was an exceptional shooter who could create her own shot and was quick to the rim. Jones shows some of those same similarities in her game as well as she can shoot the ball on any part of the floor and can get her shots in the paint as well.
For Jones making her decision to go to Stanford, it seemed as if she chose this college for reasons outside of basketball as well. She is no doubt ready to compete with her new teammates and coaches, but what also attracted Jones to Stanford was the level of expectations that they like out of their students in the long run.
“I think one of the main reasons I chose Stanford was because of the academic powerhouse that it is” Jones said after her official decision. Jones also explained that her being close to her family is also one of the big reasons why she decided to go to Stanford as well. With the best educational efforts the school has alongside her family being nearby, Jones will be comfortable in the position that she put herself in which will also take much pressure off of her when she’s on the court.
Going into college, Jones can only get better from here. Playing with a great coaching staff that Coach Tara Vanderveer has, Jones will be put in a perfect position to improve as a player and a teammate and contribute to leading the Cardinals to a Women’s championship.
It’s important that the world will be watching the Stanford Cardinals and their path to winning a championship this season. They will look to have a successful regular season and build much team chemistry on the court. This is the beginning of Haley Jones’ college career and it will be nothing but spectacular. Just like her career in high school, expect Jones to continue to improve as a player and hopefully be the focal point for the Cardinals to be successful.
Above The Rim 