Shock leading scorer Tiffany Jackson-Jones set to return to play
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Thursday, January 31, 2013
1/31/13 at 7:49 PM
Tiffany Jackson-Jones appears ready to rejoin the Tulsa Shock in 2013 after missing last season to give birth to her son.
The 6-foot-3 forward joined Shock forward Scholanda Dorrel in modeling new team attire featuring the Osage Casino logo during Thursday’s press conference. Later, she said she is negotiating a contract that she hopes will allow her to “finish my career in Tulsa.”
Jackson-Jones led the Shock in scoring (12.4), rebounding (8.4) and minutes played (33.9) in 2011, but received a leave of absence from the team in 2012 while she and her husband, Derrick Jones, awaited the birth of their first child.
Marley Andre Jones was born Dec. 12 in Dallas, Texas.
Since then, Jackson-Jones said she's been badgering her doctor about allowing her to start working out again. She was cleared Monday, she said.
“I think (the year off) was a much-needed break because I’ve been playing year-round since I was little. But by the end of the pregnancy, I was really antsy to get back on the court and start working out again,” she said.
She was runner-up for the league's most improved player in 2011. Does she worry not having the same edge after the long break?
“You always wonder how you’re gonna come back,” she said. “But I’ve just really been working hard and I have some great trainers who are working me, so I think I’ll be OK.”
Jackson-Jones’ anticipated return, along with all-league rookies Glory Johnson and Riquna Williams, provide hope for an upswing after the team went 6-28, 3-31, 9-25 in its first three years in Tulsa.
“(Jones) was probably our most productive and consistent player before she went out,” said Sam Combs, Shock owner and managing partner. “With the pieces we have in place, being able to bring back a veteran like her is significant.”
Said Dorrell: “Tiffany’s a great player. We definitely missed her last year, and the things that she’s able to bring, I think will just make us that much better.”
The 2013 season would be Jackson-Jones' sixth in the league. The former University of Texas All-American played her first three years with the New York Liberty before coming to the Shock in trade nine games into 2010.
