Jonquel Jones received the coveted SportsCenter Top 10 chain after her dominant performance against the Las Vegas Aces — and if you watched that game, you know she earned every link.
Jones drained a game-winning three-pointer with 2.1 seconds left, capping a 12-0 run in the final three minutes to erase a late deficit and seal a 92-90 New York Liberty victory. She finished with 30 points, 15 rebounds and four blocks. The win moved the Liberty to 18-5, putting them firmly at the top of the Eastern Conference.
Now here's the business story: Jones signed a two-year, $412,000 contract in 2023. She's averaging 21 points and 11 rebounds per game this season. That contract isn't just a steal — it's arguably the most lopsided deal in professional basketball right now. When her next negotiation comes, the Liberty will be writing a very different check.
The SC Top 10 chain is a smart ESPN marketing play. It puts Jones's name in front of a broader audience, raises her endorsement ceiling and signals the network is serious about investing in WNBA visibility. More eyes on Jones means more eyes on the league.
That exposure is already showing up in the numbers. WNBA average attendance is up 15 percent this season, with television ratings climbing 20 percent. Player recognition drives those figures, and Jones is exactly the kind of star the league needs front and center.
With performances like this, Jones's MVP case is essentially writing itself — and the Liberty, built around her, look like legitimate championship contenders.
