Ava Jones, a Nickerson native, has made the difficult decision to retire from college basketball due to critical injuries she sustained in an accident. Jones, a sophomore forward at the University of Iowa, will be taking a medical disqualification. KSN News has been following Jones since high school, when she signed up to play for the Hawkeyes.
In July 2022, a tragic accident in Louisville, Kentucky, resulted in the death of Jones’ father and critical injuries to her and her mother. Despite the challenges, Jones was determined to recover and join the Hawkeyes. She arrived at the University of Iowa in June 2023 but was not cleared to play for the 2023-24 season.
After consultation with team doctors and athletic trainers, Jones made the decision to retire from college basketball. In a statement, she expressed gratitude for the support she received from her coaches, doctors, teammates, and trainers. Although she won’t be playing anymore, Jones will remain on scholarship and continue her education at Iowa.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen expressed support for Jones’ decision and wished her the best on her road to recovery. Jones thanked her family for their unwavering support and expressed excitement for the next chapter of her life. Copyright 2024 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved.
