WNBA 2024 Champion and MVP Jonquel Jones welcomed back home to a grand celebration

WNBA 2024 Champion and MVP Jonquel Jones welcomed back home to a grand celebration

GRAND BAHAMA, The Bahamas - Jonquel Jones returned home to a hero's welcome from eager fans, well-wishers and family members when she touched down at the Grand Bahama International Airport on Thursday, November 14, 2024.

It would be the Holmes Rock native's first visit home after the New York Liberty forward and her teammates won the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) 2024 Finals Championship title and being named the 2024 Finals Most Valuable Player (MVP).

Greeted by Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey, Minister of National Security, the Hon. Wayne Munroe, Senator Kirkland Russell, Deputy Director of Sports in the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Culture Norris Bain and other dignitaries, Jones was ushered into the waiting crowd, lots of cheers and a Junkanoo rushout.

The Bahamian icon's tour began with a courtesy call on Minister Moxey at the Ministry for Grand Bahama where she had the opportunity to sign the newest poster marking her accomplishments.

Minister Moxey extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and stressed why it was important for the country to celebrate her.

"We are so excited to have home, the first in WNBA history to win MVP, sixth Woman of the Year and Most Improved Player Award in one year, our very own Jonquel Jones," the Minister said.

"You mean so much to the people of West Grand Bahama Community, the Grand Bahama community and the Bahamas at-large. We applaud you for your steadfastness, your commitment, all that you do for the community, all that you do for The Bahamas and what you do for the game."

Minister Moxey thanked the Bahamian superstar for coming back home to celebrate with the Bahamian people and note the challenges that exist when it comes to the sport and congratulated Jones for achieving such greatness at the highest level.

"We want to continue to work with you to ensure the programs you want to initiate throughout our country get done," she said.

Jones was elated and grateful to the Government, the New York Liberty Organization and everyone involved in planning the celebration.

"It's not often that a championship is won, it's not often that it's a Bahamian player; it's not often that it's someone from Grand Bahama; it's not often that it's someone from the Rocks, so it really feels good to come home and be embraced in this way and to have people just cherish you," she said.

"There's a lot of work, hard work, that goes on behind the scenes that people don't see, especially as a woman athlete. A lot of times we get overlooked and we don't get the things that we deserve, so to come back to the place where you were born and bred and where people poured so much into you it feels really good to be welcomed that way."

Jones then paid a courtesy call on Grand Bahama Port Authority executives President Ian Rolle, Vice Chairman Sarah St. George and Director Rupert Hayward and was presented with a special gold coin from the late Edward St. George's personal collection.

She was also presented with the opportunity by GBPA executives for a four-year scholarship to be offered to a young female in her honour.

Celebrations continue on Friday when Jones and her team members will be visiting a number of schools throughout the island, which will be followed that evening by a private cocktail reception.

The tour will climax with a grand motorcade which will leave from the parking lot of the Grand Bahama Sports Complex at 9:00am on Saturday, November 16, 2024 and make its way into Jones' hometown of Holmes Rock.

GRAND CELEBRATION - Grand Bahama welcomed Jonquel Jones home in grand style on Thursday when she returned to celebrate her WNBA 2024 Championship and MVP win. Minister for Grand Bahama, the Hon. Ginger Moxey headed the welcoming delegation for what was the start of celebrations set for the Bahamian icon and her teammates.
(BIS Photos/Jamika Culmer and Andrew Miller)