It's been two years since Marion Jones admitted to using performance-enhancing drugs and retired from track and field competition. She served six months in prison last year, because she lied about her drug use, but she's looking to get back in action – on the basketball court. In an interview with the New York Times, Jones said that she's been working on her basketball game with hopes of joining a WNBA team. For those that don't remember, Jones played point guard for the University of North Carolina women's team and led the team to a 30–5 record and a National Championship in 1994.
"Back in May, when I got a call from someone in the NBA asking if I would possibly be interested in the WNBA, my reaction was, yeah, right," Jones told the New York Times. "I got off the phone, I thought about it a little bit, talked with my husband. I thought it would be an interesting journey if I decided to do this. It would give me an opportunity to share my message to young people on a bigger platform; it would give me an opportunity to get a second chance. I think I can be an asset to a franchise, so it comes down to why not? Really. Why not?"
Jones has been working out with an assistant coach and the head trainer for the WNBA's San Antonio Silver Stars since about October. Jones is hoping to play overseas this winter and to talk with WNBA teams before the start of the 2010 season in May. Jones was originally drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 1997 when she graduated from North Carolina, but stuck with track and field. She is eligible to sign a free agent contract, but teams have yet to express any interest.
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By: John on 12/02/2009 11:20AM
I hope Marion makes it to the WNBA. I just think most of her problems in the past were with finding questionable characters as boyfriends or husband and if she could avoid these types of individuals with low moral values in the future, she will be very successful in whatever she does.
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By: Gail on 12/02/2009 11:30AM
COME ON BACK MARION JONES!!!!!
I FORGIVE YOU!!!...NOT THAT YOU NEED MY FORGIVENESS...
AND IF GOD CAN FORGIVE YOU THEN WHO ARE WE TO NOT FORGIVE!!!
EVERYBODY ELSE HAS GOTTEN A SECOND CHANCE....
AND YOU DESERVE A SECOND CHANCE TOO!!!!
I'M WITH YOU MY SISTA!!!!
COME BACK AND PLAY THE GAME GIRL....DO YOUR THING!!!!
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By: Agent2k3 on 12/02/2009 1:05PM
Its really ashamed that she had to goto jail for something as trivial as tha. She was stripped of everything, and her livelhood, that was enough of punishment, jail was just the governments need to sanction black athelets further.
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By: john on 12/02/2009 2:43PM
Agent2k3, Marion is a cheat who made millions by cheating, but of course everyone on this board, believes, that there is a grand conspiracy to keep blacks down
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By: meanvee on 12/02/2009 3:57PM
I think she would do ok for a couple of seasons in the wnba, she paid her dues, let her live now.
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By: Jewell on 12/02/2009 5:20PM
Marion we are very proud of you as to many of our young female athletes are facing uphill battles in trying to make it unto the professional level today. There is so much natural athletic talent in the urban communities we are desperate to get the resources to unearth it. Black Women in Sports was formed to improve the promotion of young minority women in sports. Our mission is to develop a sustainable sports movement for young talented female athletes where there are financial resources for them to cover their expenses to train and travel.
We welcome you to join us in supporting the development of these young women. Together we can make a difference today, for a better tomorrow for all. Visit our website at http://wwwblackwomeninsports to make a donation to the Next Top Female Athletes. The sky is the limit for these young women. The future holds no boundaries. Take it to the next level Marion!
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By: lee young on 2/12/2010 4:47PM
yes i'm glad to see marion is getting a second chance' a lot of hatters out there can't see it but he without sin cast the first stone you go M. J. and may god bless you.
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