With the WNBA regular season starting later this week, teams around the league are making final cuts to trim their rosters down to 12.
When it comes to roster cuts in the WNBA, no one is safe. Whether you are a rookie that the team drafted last month, a preseason standout or a former top pick, teams around the WNBA are very quick to move on.
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A prime example of a former top pick being shown the door after a brief tenure with the team is Haley Jones of the Atlanta Dream, who was revealed to be a casualty of roster cuts before the team’s regular season opener on Friday.
In addition to being the No. 6 overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft out of Stanford, Jones also happened to be the No. 1 overall recruit in the class of 2019, according to ESPN.
Jones departed Palo Alto as one of the more decorated players in college basketball, as she and Los Angeles Sparks Star Cameron Brink led the Cardinal to a title during the 2020-21 season. Jones was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player following the title run, and also earned All-American honors the next two seasons.
Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark (22) passes the ball against Atlanta Dream guard Haley Jones (13).Grace Hollars/IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK
Unfortunately for the former top pick and recruit, she has consistently struggled with an inability to extend her range.
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Jones shot 21.3% from deep during her time at Stanford, and hasn’t been able to overcome her shortcomings from deep at the next level. In her two seasons with the Dream, Jones shot just 36.5% from the field and 21.4% from deep.
After playing an average of 16.2 minutes per game in her first two WNBA seasons, Jones saw her playing time cut dramatically in the preseason. In the Dream’s two preseason games, she played a total of 18 minutes, averaging 3.5 points, 0.5 rebounds and 0.5 assists.
With the team having a crowded backcourt and Jones not offering much on offense, it appears she will have to find an opportunity elsewhere.
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