EuroCup Women crown for the Queen of Double-Doubles

MONTPELLIER (France) - Already renowned as a walking double-double, you can now add EuroCup Women champion to the additional monikers used for the brilliant Brionna Jones.

She woke up in Montpellier a history maker with Nadezhda, having reveled in her role as a primary party wrecker for the hometown BLMA, who were beaten by Jones and her colleagues in a landmark EuroCup Women Final.

In the middle of an incredible atmosphere which was generated by an expectant sell-out crowd, Nadezhda could have crumbled against the local favorites - especially having already lost the first leg by four points.

But Nadezhda didn't wilt in the heat and the pressure of the game - they thrived on it. The coolness and consistency of Jones shone through - as it has done for two seasons since she moved to Europe.

The Connecticut Sun center amassed 16 double-doubles in 22 games across EuroLeague and EuroCup Women during 2018-19. It is a jaw-dropping record and in typically modest style, Jones has preferred to praise the team and work ethic of her team - rather than bask in the glory of her individual contributions.

"We put in a lot of work this whole entire season and from the very beginning of it," said Jones after racking up 21 points and 12 rebounds to seal a maiden title for Nadezhda.

"I think it showed and we all played with a lot of heart. Coming off that loss last week in Orenburg, we all came into this one very much on the same page and with the same mindset.

"We all came together and just fought for everything that we accomplished."

She continued: "Coming into Orenburg last year it was all about getting used to playing overseas in a new country with different coaches, different players and everything else. Learning from that experience playing my first season in EuroLeague Women helped me to grow.

"I came back and in fact most of the team was the same from last year and I think that has helped by playing big part in our chemistry.

"Coming into the season, this really helped me to grow more and having Victor (Lapena) as a coach, who really believes in us all, has also helped us a lot," confirmed Jones.

And, as she heads back to Orenburg on a high and the attention switches to the EuroLeague Women Final Four, it leaves us all trying to think about whether there is a more consistent player in the European game.

FIBA