Jackson-Jones signs multi-year contract with Shock
BY MIKE BROWN World Sports Writer
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
2/20/13 at 4:21 AM
It's official. Tiffany Jackson-Jones will rejoin the Tulsa Shock for the 2013 season.
The WBNA franchise said Tuesday it has signed Jackson-Jones to a multi-year contract. The Texas native said last month she was working on a deal that would allow her to "finish my career in Tulsa."
Jackson-Jones was the Shock's leading scorer (12.4 points per game) and rebounder (8.4) in 2011, but missed last season to have her first child. Marley Andre Jones was born Dec. 12 in Dallas.
"I am so excited to get back on the court," she said in a release from the team. "Most of all, I am happy to get to play here in Tulsa. There's nowhere else I'd rather go. The direction this organization is going is what I want to be a part of."
The 6-foot-3 forward played high school basketball at Duncanville, Texas, and went on to a decorated career at the University of Texas.
She also led the Shock in minutes (33.9) in 2011, ranked third in the league with 11 double-doubles and scored her 1,000th WNBA career point. She tied for second in the balloting for the league's most improved player.
"She embodies the kind of person and player we want to continue to build our team with," Shock coach Gary Kloppenburg said. "She is tough, relentless and physical on the court and a wonderful role model for the Tulsa community."
Jackson-Jones joined Shock forward Scholanda Dorrell in modeling new uniforms when the team unveiled its marquee partnership with Osage Casino last month.
Shock president Steve Swetoha said, "Her commitment and loyalty to our organization and her skills on the court certainly warranted a multi-year deal. We can't wait to see her in training camp this May."
As a collegian, Jackson-Jones received national freshman of the year honors from the U.S. Basketball Writers Association in 2004 and was a three-time All-Big 12 first-team selection. She ranks fifth in UT career scoring, fourth in rebounding and third in steals.
Jackson-Jones was drafted fifth overall by the New York Liberty in 2007, and played her first three WNBA seasons with the Liberty before coming to Tulsa nine games into the 2010 season. She averaged 7.6 points and 5.8 rebounds that year in 25 games with the Shock.
The Shock has 11 players under contract, counting Australian Olympic standout Liz Cambage. Cambage did not play with the Shock in 2012, but team officials remain hopeful of luring her back for 2013.
Shock key dates
May 25: Season opener at Atlanta, 6 p.m.
May 27: Home opener vs. Washington, 2 p.m.
Original Print Headline: Jackson-Jones signs multi-year contract
Mike Brown 918-581-8390
mike.brown@tulsaworld.com
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