University of Houston Athletics
Jones Set to Lead Lady Cougars in 2002-03
11/15/2002 12:00:00 AM | Women's Basketball
Nov. 15, 2002
Chandi Jones led last year's Lady Cougar basketball squad to its best season in school history. Her list of accomplishments is perhaps the longest of any University of Houston athlete - and she is only half way through her college career. But when all is said and done, Chandi is a 20-year old college student having fun with friends and doing what she loves most - playing basketball.
As a senior at Bay City, Jones averaged 28.7 points, 8.4 rebounds and five assists per game, leading the team to a 27-1 record in 2000. She was recruited by Tennessee, Texas and Rutgers, but chose to further her academic and basketball career closer to home.
"I am very honored to have had the opportunity to come to the University of Houston and play for this team," Jones said. "I want to continue to uphold this tradition and make this school into a national powerhouse like Tennessee and Duke. I feel like this year, we can do that." This is the year for Chandi and the Lady Cougars to make history once again. With four returning starters and tremendous depth, great things are expected of the 2002-03 team.
"My expectations for this year include winning Conference USA and getting an automatic bid into the NCAA tournament," she said. "I feel that we are mature enough this year to make it pretty far into the tournament."
Jones was the nation's and Conference USA's leading scorer her freshman year despite suffering a torn ACL and missing the final nine games of the season. She was the 2002 C-USA Player of the Year - the first Lady Cougar in school history to win the honor - and as a sophomore averaged 22.5 points per game. She is on track to break NCAA women's basketball records and is already the fastest female player in school and C-USA history to reach the 1,000 point-mark.
So how does this 20-year old handle all the pressures and accolades that come with athletic success? With humility, style and grace.
"It makes me feel great to be up there with the top women athletes here at UH," Jones said. "I really don't look into all of that, I just try to go out there and do the best I can for this University; to win games and bring national notice to this school."
Chandi considers the Lady Cougars and their coaches a "family," a close-knit bunch that has fun both on and off the court.
"I really enjoy being part of this team because I get to have fun with my teammates and coaches," Jones said. "This year's team has really drawn together and we are becoming one." The Lady Cougars are looking forward to one of the toughest schedules in the nation, but the opposition doesn't intimidate Chandi.
"I am looking forward to playing Mississippi State, Georgia, TCU - I feel like we owe them one for beating us twice last year - and Cincinnati," she said.
With the growing support and attention, Chandi and the Lady Cougars have set high expectations for the upcoming season. But what will become of Jones after a history-making season at Houston?
"In five years, I see myself playing in the WNBA and living life to the fullest -- just having fun playing the sport that I love."
Chances are, all of Houston will still be rooting for Chandi Jones.
-- Laura Lesko
