Sometimes, all it takes is a little time away to realize just how much you want something.
That’s what happened to former Arizona forward LaBrittney Jones.
Jones was initially ready to join the working world after graduating last spring. She wasn’t thinking about playing overseas — even though her coach, Adia Barnes, thought she had what it took.
“I’ve been telling her for months she should play,” said Barnes, whose Wildcats take on No. 24 Stanford at 6 p.m. Friday at McKale Center. “LaBrittney is really smart and she can always get a job. But, she can’t always play. That window is small.”
A little more than a month ago Jones decided she really wanted to play professionally. She started putting the word out that she was available. After receiving various offers, she signed a one-year contract with AEO Proteas Voulas in Greece.
She will make her professional debut Tuesday.
“Greece just felt like the fit on the team that would be better for me as I will be playing a position (post) that I am most comfortable with,” said Jones.
The 6-foot-1-inch Jones was an All-Pac-12 media team and was an honorable mention All-Pac-12 coaches’ and defensive teams last season. She finished her career tied for third in UA history in blocks (161), eighth in rebounding (668) and ninth in free throws (305) made.
While she had been playing basketball on her off days since graduation, she knew it wasn’t enough.
To kick her preparation up a notch, Jones turned to Barnes and asked a favor. She became one of the UA’s practice players.
“I knew going in my role was going to be different,” Jones “As a practice player my mindset was to just do what I could to help out; being a player I knew what I needed to do to help them. What I learned the most is that I really love the game of basketball.”
While Barnes is happy that Jones is playing professionally and believes she will have a good overseas career, she will be missed by the current players.
“She helped Destiny (Graham), Kiana (Barkhoff), and Dom (McBryde),” Barnes said. “She was invaluable at practice. She gave us that All-Pac-12-caliber player to play against and helped us improve. Although I am sad to see her go, I think it’s awesome for her.”
To learn more about the experience of playing overseas she reached out to former Wildcat teammates Dejza James, who is playing in Portugal for Benfica (8-5), and Candice Warthen, who is playing for HyPo in Finland.
James is one of the top players on her team and in the league. In her most recent game, a 69-43 victory over CAB Madeira, she finished with 24 points (9 of 10) and 10 rebounds. In October, she claimed Eurobasket.com’s Player of the Week award, scoring 19 points and grabbing 13 rebounds against Boa Viagem. She is averaging 17.1 points (second in the league) and 9.3 rebounds (third in the league) per game.
Warthen, a starter, is averaging 11.5 points and 4.6 rebounds per game. Last season she played for Swedish League Champion, Lulea.
“They have been a big help with the questions I’ve had,” Jones said. “I’m most nervous about going out of the country since this will be my first time.
“Really, it’s just the culture shock I’m a little nervous about. No family or friends will be going with me, but I have a huge line of support in the United States and that will keep me going. I’m excited just to experience something different doing something I love.”
