Haley Jones is just a California girl with Atlanta dreams. Yet, her vision for her career extends beyond the court and into girls’ lives everywhere.
During her college career at Stanford, Jones was an AP All-American and Pac-12 Co-Player of the Year and also won a national championship. In 2023, she was drafted by the Atlanta Dream, where she thrived and walked away with WNBA All-Rookie Team honors. Now, she’s hoping to build upon her success and share her passion for basketball with other young players.
In celebration of National Girls and Women in Sports Day, the WNBA and VOICEINSPORT (VIS) are partnering with the WNBA Changemaker Collective to engage and unlock services to over 50,000 girls via VIS’s platform. Jones and 11 other WNBA players have signed on to become VIS mentors, something she says she wished she had as a young athlete.
“It would have meant a lot because the W was very young when I was growing up, and social media wasn’t as big back then,” she told For The Win in a recent interview. “So, I didn’t have those role models, and I feel like nowadays, kids can connect to us through Instagram, TikTok, Twitter, whatever it may be. It would have meant the world to have that one-on-one connection or feel like you really know your favorite athletes and people who look like you.”
Ahead of the 2024 WNBA season, Jones spoke with For the Win about what she would have changed from her first season in the league, why having new teammate Jordin Canada guard her was annoying, and why it stresses her out to pick just four players to be on her WNBA Mount Rushmore of greats.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
Why was it important for you to join the WNBA Changemakers program and become a VIS mentor?
So, being part of the Changemakers program aligns with who I am. It’s about advocating and creating space for the next generation. A lot of it is putting myself in the position to be that representation that I didn’t always have growing up and showing who I am in various ways.
When you sat down to reflect on your rookie season with the Atlanta Dream, what did you learn about yourself? Is there anything you would have changed?
The rookie season is hard, and I’m so blessed to have been in a place like Atlanta. The people who are part of the Dream organization really helped me figure out my place in the league and how I can make an impact. I learned to find my internal validation and that my confidence has to be strong because it’s a tough league. You have to make a place for yourself and prove that you belong. You’re drafted for a reason; you have the skill set, but you have to take that a step further and find out what sets you apart from everybody else.
If I could have changed anything, I would have been more aggressive from the beginning. When I got into training camp, I came in with the mindset of, “You have to make the team. You need a job,” rather than, “You can do this. You can make an impact; You have the skill set. There’s nobody like you.” I felt I needed to fit in rather than make a separate space for myself.
In Year 2, there will be some new faces playing next to you, including Jordin Canada. What impresses you most about Canada’s game?
I’ve been a big fan of Jordin for a long time. I watched her at UCL A, which is great being a kid from the Bay. What I’ve always admired about her is her defense. She is pesky. I had her guard me last year. (Annoying!)
Still, what’s so cool about Jordin is that she used to be known for that, but she added such an offensive arsenal to her game. Now, she’s like a three-level scorer. She does it all. She’s always continued to improve with each season. I think she’s just a dog out there, but she’s somebody you want to have on your team. I’m excited to bring her into the locker room this year.
Throughout your career, a lot has been asked about Haley Jones on the court, but what’s one thing you want people to know about you off the court?
Also, I feel like when people watch me play, they say it looks effortless.
Let me tell you, I’m trying. I’m trying real hard. I am sweating! I know my teammates always say it looks like you’re just trotting around. I’m grinding. I swear!
If you could build a Mount Rushmore of WNBA greats, who are the four players you would have?
Maya Moore. Lisa Leslie.
[Jones pauses, does some deep thinking.]
Then, I feel like you have to have some of the greats for today’s game. So, do you pick an A’ja Wilson or Breanna Stewart? Do I just leave out Diana Taurasi, Swin Cash or Sheryl Swoopes? This is the hardest question I’ve gotten in a long time. I hope that you add that to the article. I’m stressed out over here! I’m getting a new pimple! I’m going to restart my four.
Maya Moore. Lisa Leslie. Sheryl Swoopes. A’ja Wilson.
Do you believe in the concept of super teams?
Oh, yeah. It’s not a concept. It’s a fact. It’s what it is. The super teams are around. There’s so much talent in the W.
If you could interview someone you haven't met yet for your podcast or work with someone while broadcasting, who would it be?
I would love to chat with Maya Moore or Tamika Catchings (although the Players Tribune just exposed me as a super fan of Tamika).
Outside of the basketball world, I would love to sit down and talk with Serena Williams. I’m also a super fan of Serena.
If you could choose one song to play every time you walked into a room, what would you choose and why?
If I’m trying to walk in, sing and make a presence, I would have ‘Cause I Love You by Lenny Williams playing. If I’m trying to walk in and have good vibes, I would play Deja Vu by Beyonce, specifically the homecoming version, because that’s a beat with the live trumpets and everything.
If I want to pick for everybody, like if I’m going to my dad’s side of the family, I would play Hall & Oates something to get the people jumping. But if I go to my mom’s side of the family, we’re going to the cookout. I would play something different. You know? You have to feed the audience.
[Deep thinking intensifies.]
Oh, I would play Stevie Wonder. Recently, my favorite Stevie Wonder song has been Superwoman (Where Were You When I Needed You).
We asked Jewell Loyd this question about you, and we have to ask you: Do you think you could beat Jewell Loyd in a game of pickleball?
No, because I’ve seen her training videos! They are legit one-on-one training for pickleball. I think I’m very good. I go to the Atlanta Pickleball Center. I’m there weekly.
Am I prepared to play somebody who’s trained? NO! However, I’m sure if she took a year off of training and gave me a year to practice and catch up, it’d be a great game. I would love to do a celebrity doubles tournament with her. So, if she wants to do that, I’m there. But one-on-one? I’m not ready to get beat like that.
