Stanford guard Haley Jones, from Santa Cruz, Calif., was named a third-team AP All-American on Wednesday. (Stanford Athletics – Contributor)

Hailey Jones’ entry into the WNBA is imminent. ESPN predicts the All-American basketball player from Santa Cruz will go to the Minnesota Lynx all the way to No. 2 when the Women’s Professional League holds its next draft on April 10.

For now though, Jones still passed Stanford University and has a legacy to add before turning pro.

Jones, who recently led Stanford (28-5) to a third straight Pac-12 conference regular season championship (shared with Utah), is now looking to push the No. 5-ranked Cardinals to a third straight Final Four. is. That quest begins Friday, with Stanford University hosting the winner of Wednesday’s matchup between Connecticut’s Sacred Heart University and Louisiana’s Southern University in an NCAA tournament game at Maples’ pavilion.

“The Final Four is the only one me and my seniors know,” said Jones, who was named a third-team AP All-American on Wednesday. “We have the talent to do that.

“I want to be in top form and the best way to do that is to participate in national championships.”

Jones set his sights on helping Stanford match the feat it last achieved in 1992. As the 6-foot-1 senior guard led Stanford to its newest crown as a sophomore in 2021, Cardinal won nearly 30 years of appearances in 10 Final Fours, 16 Elite Eights, and 21 Sweet Sixteens. Ended the championship drought but repeats not reaching the grand prize.

In baseball, Reggie Jackson became known as “Mr. Jackson”. He displayed his postseason prowess in the 1970s, leading the Oakland A’s to his three World Series titles and the New York Yankees to his two World Series titles. All this was done in his seven years. The way Jones has excelled under college basketball’s brightest spotlight for the past two seasons, she easily became known as Miss Her March.

In fact, starting with last year’s Final Four, legendary Stanford coach Tara Vanderveer began calling Jones a “T” for “tournament.”

“The bigger the game, the better Haley plays,” Vanderbier said. “She’s very competitive and she really likes playing in the big games. She enjoys being on the biggest stages.

“That’s what she’s made for. She looks forward to the game that it all depends on.”

Perhaps it’s because Jones doesn’t give too much weight to any game.

“I’m reluctant to take the opportunity because I approach every game the exact same way, whether it’s Final Four, Pac-12, or non-conference,” she said. “I try not to rattle too much with bright lights and crowds.”

Jones’ trend for NCAA Tournament big action started with the 2021 Elite Eight. Their first Final Four since 2017.

Jones followed his performance in the national semifinals with a game-high 24 points in Stanford’s 66–65 win over South Carolina. like last season. Jones’ jumper with 32 seconds left advanced the Cardinals to the finals, where she scored 17 points and grabbed eight rebounds to lift the Cardinals to Pac-12 rivals Arizona and Stanford’s title run. Wrapped up.

In last year’s NCAA Tournament, Jones recorded a double-double in the Suite 16 against Maryland and in the Elite Eight against Texas to bring Stanford back to the Final Four. She also had 20 points and her 11 rebounds in the national semifinals in the Cardinals’ loss to powerhouse Connecticut 62-58.

Throughout his Stanford career, Jones has amassed numerous accolades. After averaging 13.4 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.4 assists during her regular season, she was named to her All-Pac-12 team for the third consecutive year. She was named Pac-12’s Player of the Week on her January 23rd. 8 Utah (25 points, 12 rebounds) and then-No. 24 Colorado (11 points, 18 rebounds).

Last season, the Associated Press named Jones to the All-American First Team after the Pac-12 named him Player of the Year.

As thrilling as it was to win these awards, Jones was quick to credit her supporting cast.

“Individual accolades are always exciting, but that’s never my way of thinking,” she said.

In addition to being a stellar scorer and rebounder, Jones, who recorded 10 double-doubles during the regular season, ranked the Pac-12 leader in assists this season. Seniors were third in the conference with an average of 4.0 per game.

“Obviously, Haley is very talented, but she’s also a very good facilitator, helping other players be great around her.”She’s someone who really moves the ball. , is a phenomenal passer.

“Haley probably enjoys making great passes as much as she enjoys scoring,” added the coach. “She also derives pleasure from the success of others.”

A communications major, Jones is already gearing up for life after basketball. She had her sights set on her broadcasting career, and she was doing halftime interviews during the radio broadcast of her football game at Stanford. She also hosts a podcast on her Players’ Tribune, her website where college and professional athletes share their own stories.

For now, though, the WNBA awaits.

“Playing at Stanford really prepares her for the WNBA,” Vanderbier said.

“Wherever you can get her, she’s professionally ready.”

county connection

County Connections are held every other Thursday during the school year. For updates on local college athletes, email Ray Hacke at raydhackelaw@gmail.com.