Washington Mystics general manager and head coach Mike Thibault announced that Asjha Jones has been promoted to assistant coach. Jones has served as a player development assistant working with post players while assisting with video and game preparations over the last two seasons.
“Asjha has been a big contributor to our success the past two seasons as a player development assistant. She is more than ready for this position as a full-time assistant coach,” said Thibault. “Her basketball accomplishments are unmatched in that she is the only person to have won an NCAA championship as a player, a WNBA championship as a player and coach, and an Olympic gold medal as a player. I know how professional she was and how hard she worked when she played for me in Connecticut and I am excited that she will be a part of the future growth of the Washington Mystics.”
Jones was selected in the first round (fourth overall) of the 2002 WNBA draft by the Mystics before spending the majority of her career with the Connecticut Sun. She also spent the 2015 season with the Minnesota Lynx where she won a WNBA Championship. Jones is a two-time All-Star (2007 and 2009) and was named to the All-WNBA Second Team in 2008. She is also one of 11 women to have earned an NCAA championship (UCONN), a WNBA championship (Minnesota) and an Olympic Gold Medal and the only woman to do so while also winning a WNBA championship as a coach (Washington). Jones also brings extensive international experience, having played in Israel, Russia and Spain.
“I am honored to continue to grow with this amazing team,” stated Jones. “Monumental Sports & Entertainment has shown how much they value the Mystics and continues to be a leading example in the WNBA. I also would like to thank Coach Thibault for having faith in me. I can’t wait for the season to begin!”