UNCASVILLE, CT. (February 10, 2006) — The Connecticut Sun announced today that it has retained the rights to Asjha Jones, matching a three-year contract offer sheet from the New York Liberty.Per team policy, no terms were released.
“We’re finally glad to have Asjha’s contract situation settled,” coach Mike Thibault said. “As Ajsha and our team continue to grow, more responsibility and expectations will be placed upon Asjha. She still has a huge upside to her game, and we have made a commitment to that potential.”
Jones averaged a career-high 9.1 points per game last season, her fourth in the WNBA, emerging as arguably the best sixth player in the league. She had a career-high 22 points in the regular season finale at Charlotte, and had a career playoff high of 21 points in Game 4 of the WNBA Finals at Sacramento.
A former UConn star, Jones was acquired by the Sun in a three-way trade involving Washington and Phoenix. She was originally drafted with the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2002 WNBA Draft.
“We’re happy that Asjha will be returning to the Sun,” general manager Chris Sienko said. “We have high expectations for her in the coming years.”
