In Ava Jones, Iowa gets its second 2023 women’s basketball commitment in less than a week

IOWA CITY — Lisa Bluder got a second shot at Ava Jones, and capitalized.

An athletic 6-foot-2 forward from Kansas, Jones announced her commitment to the University of Iowa women’s basketball team Sunday.

“They’ve got a winning culture, they’ve got a big fan base, they’ve got Iowa City,” Jones told The Gazette. “They’ve got everything.”

The Hawkeyes “really didn’t recruit me the first time around,” said Jones, who originally committed to Arizona State, then reopened the recruiting process after a coaching change at ASU.

“But (assistant) Abby (Stamp) watched me at a few tournaments, reached out to my club, then reached out to me.

“I got on the phone with Coach Bluder, and the conversation felt easy. I met the team, and I knew for sure that this was the place for me.”

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Jones averaged 20.8 points, 15.4 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.6 steals per game as a junior as Nickerson High School finished 23-3 and placed fourth in the Kansas Class 3A state tournament.

“I think I’m versatile, I can do pretty much anything,” Jones said. “I’m most comfortable facing up in the low post, but I’m working on expanding my game outside.”

She is ranked 83rd nationally among 2023 recruits by ESPN. She is Iowa’s second piece of the 2023 class, joining Illinois guard Kenisse Johnson-Etienne, who committed Thursday.

Comments: jeff.linder@thegazette.com