Hall of Fame Motivation

Coach Thomas presented Jones with a GB Hoops hoodie

At practice today we had a special guest in Flint legend and member of the Flint Area Sports Hall of Fame, Linnell Jones. 

From the time she was eight, Jones grew up dreaming of becoming a professional basketball player--in a time where there were no professional basketball leagues for women!Jones focused on that dream nonetheless, playing on boys teams as a child because there were no girls basketball programs in Flint. She worked unswervingly toward her goal, starring in high school at Flint Northwestern, playing in college, and ultimately earning an invitation to try out for the US Olympic Team in 1980. It was there that she caught the eye of a coach who connected her with the St. Louis Streaks of the WBL, where she became the first woman from Flint to play professional basketball. Her career would continue in Italy, where she was a five-time All-Star and three-time league MVP, once scoring 84 points in a game.

In addition to a passion for basketball, Jones has always had a passion for her community, and she continues to this day sharing her passions, motivating others to follow their dreams just like she had followed hers.That is precisely what she did today, addressing the team after practice...and what a motivation her words and example were!

The Bobcats listen intently to Jones