New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones announced her self-assessment as one of the top five players in the world, emphasizing the need for this conviction to translate into consistent on-court performance for the team's success.
"I'd probably say top five," Jones stated during a press conference, reflecting on her standing among elite athletes. While acknowledging the confidence required to reach her level, Jones underscored that the Liberty (15-12) need her to consistently play at this caliber, especially as the team aims to improve its season narrative after the All-Star break.
Jones's impact on the court is multifaceted. Offensively, she presents difficult matchups, capable of hitting three-pointers from the perimeter or dominating in the paint against smaller defenders. Her presence also opens up opportunities for New York's shooters by drawing defensive attention. Defensively, she contributes significantly to controlling the glass and preventing second-chance points, thereby influencing winning.
Teammate Breanna Stewart highlighted Jones's importance, stating, "JJ is huge for us as a team. We just really are focused on making sure that every day we get better and when she’s her best, we continue to kind of be our best. When she’s impactful on both ends, it’s really hard for the other team to stop."
This season, Jones has recorded 11 double-doubles, with six occurring in the last seven games. She is averaging 14.8 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, her highest scoring and rebounding numbers since her MVP season in 2021. The Liberty are looking for her to be an overwhelming force, a role she expressed willingness to embrace.
"I want to — not try to be the hero, but I want to make sure that I’m being the best teammate that I can be," Jones said. "That I’m playing as hard as possible for everybody else."
Jones also addressed some of the team's struggles, noting that in tough situations, the Liberty can become "inward" and appear to separate on the court. She advocates for more open communication to address feelings and observations in real-time, rather than trying to resolve issues individually. "I think if we get out of being inward and be a little more outward, we’ll be a better team," she explained.
During the Liberty's 2024 campaign, Jones proved instrumental, dominating the paint, securing offensive rebounds, and exploiting defenses preoccupied with other offensive threats. Her willingness to publicly place herself among the game's elite signifies a level of conviction that the Liberty need to see from her in every remaining game.