Tulsa Shock sign Marion Jones and Andrea Riley.
TULSA, OK-- The Tulsa Shock of the WNBA have re-signed one of their most popular players, point guard Marion Jones, to a multi-year deal last Wednesday.
As a rookie in 2010, Jones appeared in all 34 regular season games, averaging 3.4 points on 52.5 percent shooting and 1.5 rebounds in 9.4 minutes a game.
“We are very happy and proud to have Marion Jones back on our team in 2011,” General Manager and Head Coach Nolan Richardson said. “She came on strong last year and she’s looking forward to starting another season with that experience under her belt. Our entire coaching staff is excited to have her back and we are looking forward to a great year from her on the court.”
Jones was the starting point guard for the National Champion North Carolina Tar Heels in 1994 when she averaged 14.1 points in her freshman year. After a successful college basketball career, Jones shifted her talents to the track where she became a world champion track star before returning to basketball with the Shock last March.
"I am thrilled to return to the Tulsa Shock and the WNBA," Jones said. "I was blessed to be part of the Shock's first season in Tulsa, and I look forward to continuing the journey to WNBA success with Coach Richardson over the next couple of years"
Jones’ yearlong dedication and hard work came to fruition in the final three games of the 2010 season when she averaged 10.6 points on 56.5 percent shooting from the field, 5.3 rebounds and 1.2 steals in 22.7 minutes a game. Jones earned her first start of the season in the final regular season game when she scored a season and career-high 14 points.
"I am especially pleased and humbled that Coach Richardson and the entire Tulsa Shock family have demonstrated their confidence in my development and my ability to positively contribute to the team, the growth of the organization, and the Tulsa community."
Another transaction brought former Oklahoma State Cowgirl standout Andrea Riley from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for two 2012 draft picks.
“We are very excited about Andrea (Riley) coming back home to play basketball,” Head Coach Nolan Richardson said. “She’s a young lady who had a brilliant career in Stillwater. Now she’s back on the grounds where she had such great success and we are excited about that.”
Riley, a graduate of Oklahoma State University, appeared in 29 games off the bench for the Sparks last year averaging 3.4 points and 1.0 assists per game in 7.7 minutes.
As a senior at Oklahoma State, Riley was the second-leading scorer in the nation at 26.7 points a game and led the Big 12 Conference in assists at 6.5 a game. She was selected eighth overall by the Sparks in the 2010 WNBA Draft.
The Shock will open the 2011 WNBA season on the road against the San Antonio Silve Stars on Saturday, June 4th. They will travel to Minnsota to face the Lynx on Tuesday June 7th before returning to the BOK Center on June 10th for their home opener against San Antonio on June 10th.
For more information about individual game or season tickets, contact the Shock front office at 918-599-WNBA or consult tulsashock.net