Iowa’s Ava Jones to medically retire from women’s basketball

The Iowa women’s basketball forward will medically retire from the sport while remaining on scholarship, the university announced Friday morning. The decision stems from severe injuries Jones suffered shortly after committing to the Hawkeyes in July 2022, when an intoxicated driver collided with her and her family on a sidewalk in Louisville, Kentucky. Jones lost her father in the accident, and her mother suffered significant injuries as well.

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“We wish Ava the best on the road to recovery and fully support the decision she made to step away from the game,” Iowa coach Jan Jensen said in a school release. “She worked tirelessly to get to this point, but she made the best decision for herself and her well-being.” 

After numerous surgeries, most notably to address a traumatic brain injury and torn ligaments in both knees, Jones sat out during the 2023-24 season with hopes of returning either next year or at least at some point in her Iowa career. Jones didn’t travel with the team last season, but attended essentially every Iowa home game while sitting behind the Hawkeyes’ bench.

However, after consultation with team doctors and trainers, a medical disqualification was decided upon, according to the release. Jones will continue working toward her degree at Iowa.