University of North Carolina Ashville Athletics
Former Bulldog Jones Hired as St. Andrews Assistant
10.27.2015 | Women's Basketball
ASHEVILLE, N.C. – Former UNC Asheville women's basketball standout Shonese Jones has recently accepted a new position to be the assistant women's basketball coach at St. Andrews (N.C.). Jones was a four-year player for the Bulldogs (2011-15), averaging 13.1 points per game in 108 career appearances. She will enter her first season in 2015-16 as an assistant under head coach Yvette Stevens at St. Andrews.
“The one thing that excites me about my new position is that I am expanding my knowledge of the game more,” Jones said. “I now see the game as a coach instead of as a player. It is good I am fresh from being a student-athlete because I understand my players and I can help them get to where they need to be because we relate. It is an exciting change for me and very interesting because now I've switched over and played a new role in the game that I love.”
“The things that encouraged me to get into coaching were the people around me in general. Most people have said that I have a high IQ for the game and I thank all of the great coaches I've been under for that. Also it's about a player thinking outside the box for themselves and I know for me it's all about 'do what makes sense' on the court. Most people have said I will be a coach one day. At first I never gave it a thought but then as time went on it stayed lingering in my mind and when the opportunity came knocking I finally answered.”
Fourth-year Asheville head coach Brenda Mock Kirkpatrick had the opportunity to coach Jones for three seasons.
"I am incredibly excited for Shonese and proud that she chose to take advantage of this opportunity to get into the coaching profession,” Mock said. “I never doubted that she would do great things when she graduated from UNC Asheville and based on her career as a player and her ability to build relationships she will be a great asset to Coach Sparks at St. Andrews. I have known Yvette for some time and I am thrilled that Shonese will be able to learn under her guidance as well."
