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| Sun center Jonquel Jones, shown here putting one up over defending WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne of the Washington Mystics, has opted to sit out the 2020 season because of COVID-19 concerns. |
UNCASVILLE—The 2020 sports season has been a long,
strange trip for Connecticut fans, thanks to COVID-19. The National Lacrosse
League, a box lacrosse league with a team in Uncasville (the New England Black
Wolves) and Major League Lacrosse, with an expansion team in Fairfield (the
Connecticut Hammerheads), have both suspended the opening of the season for an
undetermined period. So, too, has the Eastern League, where the Colorado
Rockies’ AA affiliate, the Hartford Yard Goats, are slated to play when (and
if) the season ever gets underway. Ditto racing fans with events at the New
London Waterford Speedbowl in limbo. Stafford Springs Motor Speedway is still
scheduled to open next weekend—with attendance cut to 25 percent—although, as
we have become accustomed to hearing and accepting in the age of the coronavirus,
everything is subject to change.
Perhaps the state’s most visible spring/summer team, the Connecticut
Sun of the WNBA, will participate in league competition this season as the WNBA
will conduct its games in a “bubble” environment at IMG Academy in Bradenton,
FL. Florida, of course, has been (and is) a hotbed for COVID-19, so whether or
not the 2020 season actually happens is a matter of conjecture. Whether it does
or does not, the team’s top player, Jonquel Jones, has opted not to participate
in the 2020 WNBA season.
Jones led the Sun to the fifth and final fame of the 2019
WNBA Finals—Connecticut’s first appearance in the Finals since 2005—where they eventually
lost to the Washington Mystics, coached by long-time former Sun head coach Mike
Thibault. A 6-6 center, JJ started in all 34 regular season games and eight
playoff competitions and averaged 14.6 and 17.9 points per game, respectfully.
An outstanding defender, Jones led the league in both total rebounds (330) and blocks
(68) and was also named to the WNBA All-Defensive Team. A 2019 WNBA All-Star, JJ
averaged included 9.7 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game during the regular
season and 10.4 rebounds and 1.5 blocks per game throughout the playoffs.
“After careful thought and consideration, I’ve decided to
forego the upcoming WNBA season and use this time to focus on personal, social,
and familial growth,” Jones said. “This was one of the toughest decisions I’ve
made but the resurgence and unknown aspects of COVID-19 have raised serious
health concerns that I do not feel comfortable competing in.
“I’d like to thank the Connecticut Sun organization, my
teammates and fans for their unwavering support and understanding,” continued
the 26-year-old Bahamian native. “While I won’t be competing this year I’m
looking forward to lacing up with my teammates in 2021 and continuing the
pursuit for a WNBA championship. Wishing the entire league and everyone
involved a healthy and enjoyable season. Go Sun!”
On June 15, the WNBA announced plans to tip off the 2020 season
which included the single site location for a 22-game regular season, an update
on player salary and benefits and that the season will feature, “bold
commitment to social justice.” For more information on the Sun and 2020 WNBA
season, visit connecticutsun.com.
“On behalf of our entire organization, we fully support JJ’s
difficult decision to sit out the 2020 WNBA season during these
unprecedented times,” said Sun head coach and general manager Curt Miller. “We
recognize the amount of unique challenges, sacrifices, and unknowns this season
presents, and from the top down, there is an unwavering commitment to support
each player’s respective decision. We look forward to having JJ back leading us
next summer.”
Hopefully in Uncasville
—with staff reports
#ctsun / @ConnecticutSun / #wnba / @wnba /
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