By Jonathan Caudle, TTU Sports Information
COOKEVILLE, Tenn. - Tennessee Tech women's basketball received a huge early boost to their 2020-21 roster as head coach Kim Rosamond announced the signing of junior transfer Anna Jones.
The 6-foot-1 guard from Jackson, Tenn., comes to Cookeville after spending her last two seasons in Conference USA playing for perennial power Middle Tennessee State University.
As a sophomore, Jones started 30 of 34 games for the Blue Raiders averaging seven points and four rebounds. Jones helped Middle Tennessee finish 23-11 with an appearance in the C-USA championship game as well advancing to the second round of the Women's NIT Championship Tournament. She had her best game of the season against Western Kentucky, scoring a season-high 26 points, shooting 8-of-11 from the field and knocking down a career-high eight made free throws over 40 minutes of play. Off the court, Jones has been dedicated to her studies and was named to the C-USA Commissioner's Honor Roll following her sophomore year.
During her freshman campaign, Jones played in 31 games and started six contests while averaging six points and three rebounds. She was a two-time C-USA Freshman of the Week honoree and named USBWA National Freshman of the Week following a pair of performances against Marshall and Charlotte. Jones went on to earn a spot on the 2018 Conference USA All-Freshman Team after helping the Blue Raiders win 18 games and advance to the WNIT postseason tournament.
"Anna is a great addition to our Golden Eagle family," expressed Rosamond. "She has competed at a championship level during her time at Middle Tennessee as well as in high school, and she brings a considerable amount of experience to our team. Her size, versatility and toughness will be a great asset to our program moving forward. She can play several positions on the floor, score off the bounce as well as from three, and is a very good defender. She is a great fit both on and off the court and will be a big boost to the veteran team we will return next season. While she will have to sit out due to NCAA transfer rules, she can begin practicing right away. This will allow her a chance to become familiar with our system and with our team."
Jones played her prep career at University School of Jackson under the direction of coach Tony Shutes. She was a four-time All-State selection with the Bruins, in addition to a three-time Tennessee Miss Basketball finalist, and two-time Jackson Sun Player of the Year. Jones finished as the Bruins' all-time leading scorer with 2,794 points, while leading the Bruins to the state semifinals in 2017, marking the first time since 2015 the program advanced to the state semifinals. She also holds the USJ rebounding record with 815 boards, in addition to collecting 461 steals and dishing out 372 assists over her four-year career as a Bruin.
"I have always had huge respect for the program, coaches and players here at Tennessee Tech," expressed Jones. "Following my visit, I immediately fell in love with the coaching staff, atmosphere, and I really clicked with the team. I just felt like it would be a good and comfortable fit for me. I'm excited to be a Golden Eagle because every year we play, I know we will have a legitimate chance to play for the OVC conference championship and go to the NCAA Tournament."
Jones will join newcomers Peyton Carter (Abingdon, Va.), Madison Brady (Jacksboro, Tenn.), and Ansley Hall (Watkinsville, Ga.) for the 2020-21 season.
Photo by Middle Tennessee Athletic Communications
