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Olympian and Ex-con Marion Jones in WNBA Debut
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TULSA, Okla. (AP)—Marion Jones’ path to stardom in the WNBA won’t be a sprint.
The former Olympic track star had little impact in limited playing time in her debut for Tulsa on Saturday night as the relocated Shock lost their inaugural game in their new hometown 80-74 to the Minnesota Lynx.
Jones, who won a national championship for North Carolina in college, made her return to basketball after more than a decade away. In between, she was stripped of her five Olympic track medals—including three golds—and served time in prison for lying to federal investigators.
AP – May 15, 9:21 pm ED
“I’m learning as I go,” Jones said, surrounded by reporters as she sat in her locker after the game. “I know that it’s going to take time for things to kind of come together with me. But really, whatever I can do to help this ballclub win games.
“If it’s making sure when I’m on the bench that people get hyped, feeling motivated, then so be it.”
Jones played only 3 minutes and 19 seconds and watched most of the action unfold from the bench. Her statistical line was made up of a single foul, which she committed against Monica Wright just 3 seconds into her career.
“I know people kind of expect great, great things. I decided to play basketball, so people think I’m going to be out there 40 minutes and doing this,” Jones said. “But you’ve got to understand it’s a process. These ladies have been playing for much longer than I have, and I’m learning from them every day.”
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