After graduating in three-and-a-half years and living her dream of being a Lady Vol basketball player, the hoops career of Tennessee forward Jasmine Jones is coming to an end.
The University of Tennessee Athletics Department issued the following statement Monday on Jones’ status:
"Due to the contact nature of basketball and the risks of further injury, the UT Athletics Medical Staff has decided Jasmine Jones will no longer be cleared to participate on the women's basketball team. Instead, she will be focusing her athletics ability on non-contact and throwing events on the women's track & field team."
Jones will wrap up the 2015-16 season as an inactive member of the Lady Vol basketball team before spending the rest of the semester at UT with track & field.
Jones, who hails from Madison, Ala., walked across the stage at Thompson-Boling Arena in December, graduating with a degree in sociology a semester early. She will add her signature to the Lady Vols’ graduation pole, signifying another success story in UT’s 100-percent graduation rate for players who complete their playing days at Rocky Top.
During her time in Knoxville, Jones played in 81 games for Holly Warlick’s program, drawing starting nods in 17 of them. The 6-foot-2 standout helped Tennessee win a pair of SEC regular season titles and an SEC Tournament trophy as well as record a pair of NCAA Elite Eight finishes and one Sweet 16 berth.
A hard-nosed competitor, Jones’ career will be remembered for the effort she gave and the toughness she displayed as a player many admired for her ability to defend all five positions on the floor.
Jones’ career averages included 5.2 points and 3.9 rebounds, with her reaching double figures in points 14 times and pulling down 10 rebounds on four occasions.
As a junior she started in six of the seven contests she played and contributed 9.4 points and 4.6 rebounds before an injury sidelined her after the Stanford game. She started three of five games as a redshirt junior this year, putting up 6.0 points and 5.4 rebounds in a career-best 20.4 minutes per contest before her season again came to an end after she was injured vs. Texas.
“I have fulfilled my obligation to Coach Summitt, Holly and Dean (Lockwood),” Jones said. “I came to Tennessee to win basketball games and to graduate. I have sacrificed my body for the sake of winning for this program, and I have lived my dream, which was to be a Lady Volunteer basketball player.
“I have given my all to Tennessee over the past four years, and my athletic career will end on my terms.”
Warlick expressed her appreciation for Jones and what she has meant to the program.
“I cannot say enough how tough of a competitor Jasmine Jones has been for our program,” Warlick said. “She is known for being a tenacious defensive player and rebounder, and her presence on the floor made us a stronger team. We’ve missed her on the court this season but are so glad to have her in our midst at practices and on road trips.
“It has been a pleasure to watch her grow and mature as a young woman, and to make a big step toward her future by earning a degree from UT. I am proud that she has taken advantage of the opportunities and put herself in position to be successful and self-sufficient in the world.”