Sunday, Arizona women’s basketball player LaBrittney Jones will lace up her shoes and put on her jersey the same way she has done it for the past four seasons.
It’s been the same routine for 112 games, nothing new.
The only difference this time is that Jones will step onto the court at McKale Center for the last time, for the Senior Day game at 2 p.m. against USC.
“It will be bittersweet,” said Jones, who is averaging 15.2 points per game on 44-percent shooting. “Thinking back to my first day at McKale it’s gone by really fast. It’s my last time at McKale — I don’t believe it’s about to be over. I hope I’m not emotional. I don’t want to cry — I am a little soft.”
It may be a little late for that. Jones tweeted this Friday afternoon before a loss to UCLA: “Last weekend playing in McKale!”
The tweet included about 10 different emojis ranging from happy to sad to various stages of crying.
Expect those emotions to be flowing when the five seniors — Jones, Malena Washington, Breanna Workman, Dejza James, and Lauren Evans — are celebrated after the game.
However, Jones is not finishing just any playing career, she is rewriting the UA record books and will walk out as one of the best Arizona women’s basketball players ever.
And don’t let that ink dry yet — as she will be adding to her tallies and moving up on the career scoring, rebounds, and block lists in these last games.
Her numbers to date:
- 1,222 points, six points from securing 12th place in school history, held by Aimee Grzyb (who played from 2001-04)
- 675 rebounds, 19 rebounds from securing seventh place, held by Amina Njonkou (2006-09) and tying Davellyn Whyte (2009-13)
- 153 blocks, 14 blocks from securing second place, held by Ify Ibekwe (2008-10)
From the beginning of the season, when asked about these records and what it means to her, Jones has deflected it back on to helping her team win.
This time, with a little time to reflect, she was able to enjoy it just a bit, before turning back to the team.
“It never crossed my mind,” said Jones, about finishing her career as one of the best to play at Arizona. “It’s a good feeling that I’ve made a name for myself. I didn’t expect to be where we are — we’ve won more games than in the past.
“I knew we’d be better, but didn’t expect this.”
On top of these numbers, Jones’ style of play has had an impact on younger players, like sophomore Destiny Graham. In the middle of the season, Graham was called the most improved player by her teammates.
“(Jones) helps me expand my basketball IQ,” Graham said. “Playing with her has allowed me to speed up my learning — when to take shots, etc. She encourages players and tries to correct what we are doing wrong and says what to do next. It helps. And, it’s always fun to watch her get aggressive. It gets me pumped.”
And you can’t forget that Jones is a leader on and off the court. It’s how she prepares for games, how she rallies her teammates, and her resiliency. She never gives up and that is one of the biggest traits of this program.
“She’s a fierce competitor and has that determination to be truly great at whatever she does,” said UA assistant coach Kelly Rae Finley. “She’s one of those people who drives those around her to be the best version of themselves, as well.
“Having coached against her the last three seasons, there was no doubt in my mind she would carry a load for us this season. Yet it is wonderful to see, as a coach, how she carries her team.
“And, at times, when she has tough days, and we all have tough days, they carry her. No matter how difficult, don’t give up. She’s not going to let you quit or fail. Learning how to press on in failure is one of life’s hardest lessons and one of its greatest. This group has moved beyond all of it this season and she’s a large part of it.”
