South Side point guard Jaci Jones has announced her college commitment to Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis. She made the announcement via Twitter on Saturday, April 4th. Though she plans to sign a letter of intent, a signing has not officially been scheduled. Jones had originally signed to play at the University of Detroit Mercy. But chose not to go there after head girls’ basketball coach Bernard Scott was released from his position.
“Jaci was really excited about going to Detroit-Mercy because of Coach Scott,” South Side head coach Juanita Goodwell said. “It was a shock to her that he was released, and it changed what she was hoping for. That is the one thing I will say about Jaci, above her talent, her loyalty was always first. IUPUI has always expressed interest in Jaci over the years in high school. I am really happy that she was able to find a path back to someone who has always believed in her.”
Jones has considered majoring in Sports Management but said she may switch her major to physical therapy. Her interactions with the coaching staff proved to be one of multiple reasons why she chose the Jags.
“I had to open up my options, and I picked [IUPUI] because they just made me feel welcomed, and it was a really good program,” Jones said. “The coaching staff was just so supportive and they knew what process I had to go through, and they just had my back through it all.”
Though she has not gotten to visit the campus (due to the coronavirus pandemic), Jones has remained in contact with the school through phone calls and videos that the school has sent her.
“Seeing those videos, it really impressed me,” Jones said. “The apartments impressed me a lot too; they sent me a video of the apartments. And they showed me the locker room which was cool, and I’ve heard it’s a beautiful campus too. I just had to go with my gut, and that was to go to IUPUI.”
This past season, Jones was South Side’s leading scorer. She averaged 15.1 points per game. She also led the team in assists; averaging 3.0 per game. Her sophomore year (2017-2018), she was the third-leading scorer on an Archers’ team that won a sectional title. She credits Coach Goodwell for helping her develop.
“She pushed me to be the basketball player I am today,” Jones said. “She’s helped me improve my leadership skills, and we accomplished a lot these four years, and I just loved being coached by her.”
One memorable moment from Jones’ career was when she scored her 1,000th career point. She reached that milestone on December 28th, in the SAC Holiday Tournament championship game against Homestead.
“It was so cool, it was just a great accomplishment I’ve had, and it was just exciting to be able to have 1000 points in four years at the high school level,” Jones said.
Goodwell’s advice to Jones, as she prepares to head to college, was summed up in the phrase, “You Get What You Give!”
“The next level will not be easy, but if you want it, you have to bring it,” Goodwell said. “Jaci is surrounded by a loving and caring family that will be there for her. Don’t ever take that for granted. Jaci will always have the #ARCHERNATION Family as well.”
