By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

GRAND Bahama residents are proud of their daughter of the soil, Jonquel Jones, for the New York Liberty’s historic WNBA Championship win and for being named the 2024 Finals MVP.

Ms Jones, a native of Holmes Rock, West Grand Bahama, celebrated the win with her teammates and her mother, who was there with her on the court as she received the MVP trophy.

The NY Liberty’s victory over the Minnesota Lynx came Sunday night, with Jones scoring a team-high 17 points and six rebounds.

“Y’all know my story,” Jones said during her on-court interview. “Y’all know how many times I’ve been denied, but it was delayed, that’s all it was. I’m so happy to do it here.”

Ms Jones left home at age 13 to live with strangers so that she could play basketball in the United States. She said she saw it as a way to help support her family.

Bahamian college basketball player Valdez “VJ” Edgecombe, a freshman with the Baylor Bears, congratulated Jones on their historic championship win.

“It was with great pride to see my Bahamian basketball sister, Jonquel Jones, and her New York Liberty squad capture the WNBA 2024 finals title on Sunday,” he said in a statement.

The Game 5 championship win was the New York Liberty’s first franchise title after 28 years in the league and Jonquel’s first after her fourth trip to the finals.

Edgecombe said Jonquel’s MVP performance inspires him and thousands of young people in The Bahamas and throughout the world.

“I am pleased to identify with her journey; leaving a small northern island as a teenager to follow my dreams,” he said. “Her ongoing achievements are a testament to hard work, dedication, and commitment.

“I offer my heartfelt congratulations to Jonquel Jones with true national pride, and to the state of New York where I played a stint of high school basketball.”

“Never quit, and know that The Bahamas is a constant world-class Jonquel reminder that no matter where you come from, just dare to dream big.”