April 25, 2000

SECAUCUS, N.J. - Former Charlotte women's basketball player Jameka Jones was selected by the Miami Sol with the third pick of the second round of Tuesday's WNBA Draft. She was the 19th pick overall, and the first pick ever by Miami, which is in their first year as a franchise.

"I'm real excited," Jones said. "I felt good about my chances of getting drafted, but I didn't know for sure. Then, to get drafted with, and ahead of some of the top players, the All-Americans, is great.

"I'm really looking forward to playing in Miami. I'm not sure when I have to report yet, but I'm looking forward to it. In the mean time, I'll keep working out so I can be in the best shape possible."

Jones, a Kinston, N.C., native, enhanced her chances of being drafted with a strong workout at the WNBA Pre-Draft Camp held in Chicago, April 13-15. She made a name for herself, though, at last month's Conference USA Tournament, where she averaged 26.7 points in three games and earned a spot on the all-tournament team. She finished the year as the 49ers' leading scorer at 15.5 points per game. She reached double figures in scoring in 21 of her 27 games.

Jones helped the Niners reach the C-USA semifinals for the first time ever, leading the team to wins over Louisville (75-62, 31 points) and Memphis (83-67, 26 points). She also led Charlotte with 23 points in the semifinals versus Tulane. The Green Wave won the game, 79-75, and went on to win the conference championship.

Jones will become the second player from Charlotte to play in the WNBA, joining Markita Aldridge, who plays for the Washington Mystics.