The Wolfpacker: An Independent Magazine Covering NC State Sports
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32 ■ THE WOLFPACKER BY ETHAN MCDOWELL am Jones is just a couple of months into her freshman season, but she didn't wait for anyone to welcome her to the college stage. She announced her arrival with a statement — a yell, in fact. When the freshman guard knocks down a big shot, she lets her op- ponent know about it. Whether it was against South Caro- lina — a 16-point outing in her second collegiate game — or a clash with Old Dominion, Jones plays with passion. The guard knows that she belongs at this level, and she has more than proven it during the opening stretch of her freshman season. She's a willing passer and an isolation scorer. Her confidence comes from within, but she also values the help she receives from her team- mates and coaches. "They believe in me to go out there and play," Jones said after the South Carolina game. "A lot of freshmen don't go out there and do that against a big team." After the Wolfpack's 71-57 loss to the Gamecocks, a game in which she hit 4 threes against the No. 1 team in the country, Jones quickly credited her teammates. They knock down the shots when she passes them the ball, leading to 25 assists through her first 11 games. NC State's experienced backcourt played varying roles as freshmen. Cur- rent senior Saniya Rivers was a reserve for a national champion South Carolina squad, while sophomore Zoe Brooks played a major role for last year's Final Four team in her debut season. They were all freshmen at one point, and they're always around to offer Jones words of encouragement while she works through the ebbs and flows of the season. "I'm just playing my game," Jones said. "My teammates help me all the time, telling me, 'You can do it, you can do it.'" 'She Can Do Everything' Jones signed with NC State as a five- star prospect. She was the No. 21 recruit in the country out of Bethel (N.C.) North Pitt High and picked the Wolfpack over Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi State. She was a McDonald's All-American and brought some significant star power to the Pack's 2024 recruiting class. Rivers was a top-10 prospect during her own recruiting cycle and saw some- thing special in the emerging freshman. To the veteran guard, Jones' hot start to the season was not a surprise. "When she was coming on visits, I told her that I would love to play with her," Rivers said. "I'm very fortunate that I get a year with her. … She can do every- thing — play both sides of the ball, feed her teammates and also score. … I just love her to death, and she's just going to do anything she can do to contribute to a win." Wes Moore spends a lot of time in Jones' ear when she's on the court. The Pack's head coach is tough on his players and still sees plenty of areas where the freshman point guard can improve, but the staff knew she was a big addition to the program who could make an instant impact. "She's a McDonald's All-American," Moore said. "We're fortunate she was One of the reasons NC State didn't pursue any backcourt help in the transfer portal was because it was confident Jones would be able to step in and contribute early in her career. PHOTO COURTESY NC STATE ATHLETICS " I'm very fortunate that I get a year with her. … She can do everything — play both sides of the ball, feed her teammates and also score. … I just love her to death, and she's just going to do anything she can do to contribute to a win." Saniya Rivers on Jones Z