Q&A with AU Pro Basketball signee Haley Jones

Savanna Collins

Feb 22, 2024

Get to know Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball Season 3 signee Haley Jones.

Jones is a guard from Santa Cruz, California and plays for the Atlanta Dream. She graduated from Stanford University and was drafted sixth overall in the 2023 WNBA Draft by the Dream. She appeared in 40 games with six starts as a rookie.

1. What made you want to play with AU Hoops?

After my rookie season in the W, I knew I needed some form of break due to coming right off of a long college season. AU was always an option in the forefront of my mind due to the timing, but also the high level of competition. AU allowed me the opportunity to take the time I needed to work on my game and take the rest period for my body and mental health before getting ready to ramp back up for the WNBA season.

2. What were your rookie season’s biggest challenges and achievements in the WNBA?

My biggest challenge in my rookie season was consistency, really just finding where I fit in at the beginning of the year and learning how to impact the game within that. Once I learned how to do that, things became more smooth sailing. My greatest achievement was probably making the playoffs my rookie year.

3. You’ll compete in AU this season with quite a few of your Dream teammates. What was it like being a part of the franchise’s first playoff clinch in 5 years and how do you hope you all will continue to develop during the offseason with AU?

I’m so excited to have some of my Dream teammates in Dallas with me for the AU season. I think that all of us at the Dream are very like-minded in our goals for the organization. Making the playoffs was just the start of where we can take it. AU gives us a place to put into action all of the things we have been working on individually in the off-season.

4. You have a podcast with the Players Tribune called “Sometimes I Hoop”. What has your experience being the interviewer been like and what do you enjoy most about getting to chat with other hoopers on the platform?

My podcast “Sometimes I Hoop” is so fun and rewarding honestly. Getting to be a part of growing women’s basketball through the podcast realm, while being a player-led podcast is really special. I truly enjoy getting to let fans and supporters get to know the guests are more than their basketball selves, selfishly I get to pick their brains firsthand.