Nickerson native Ava Jones, who fought to recover from critical injuries to play basketball at the University of Iowa, has announced her retirement from college basketball. The University of Iowa stated that the sophomore forward will be taking a medical disqualification.
Jones’ journey to play for the Hawkeyes was not an easy one. In July 2022, she suffered tragic losses when her father passed away and she and her mother were left critically injured in an accident. Despite the setbacks, Jones remained determined to join the Hawkeyes and ultimately arrived at the university in June 2023. However, she was unable to be cleared to play for Iowa’s 2023-2024 season.
After consulting with team doctors and athletic trainers, Jones made the difficult decision to retire from basketball. In a statement released following the announcement, Jones expressed her gratitude for the support she had received and her excitement for the next chapter of her life.
Head Women’s Basketball Coach Jan Jensen expressed support for Jones’ decision and wished her the best in her recovery journey. Jones will remain on scholarship at the University of Iowa, continuing to receive a world-class education and always being a part of the Hawkeye community.
KSN News has been following Jones since her high school days, including when she committed to play for the Hawkeyes. We wish Ava all the best in her future endeavors and look forward to seeing what she accomplishes next.
