Oklahoma State University Athletics
Up Next ... LaTashia Jones
November 10, 2015 | Cowgirl Basketball
By Matt Mitchell
Her favorite player growing up, and one she's tried to model her game after? Michael Jordan. Not a bad choice.
While it may be hard for anyone to stack up with the greatest of all time, LaTashia Jones has already carved out an impressive legacy of her own.
The freshman from Leavenworth, Kansas, helped lead Leavenworth High School to back-to-back state titles during her final two seasons as a Lady Pioneer. Along the way, Jones earned Class 5A all-tournament squad honors and was named a first-team all-state selection as a senior.
Now an Oklahoma State Cowgirl, Jones looks to transition some of that success to next level.
"I've just got to keep the winning mindset," Jones said. "I know what it takes to win a championship and how it to work hard."
Jones said there have been many challenges so far in transitioning from high school to college but that she's ready to face them.
"It's a lot more up-tempo," Jones said. "It's a lot more work and dedication than high school, but it's better. It's been a lot of fun. I've also got to work on consistency and I also need to work on some more defensive things."
Jones was rated by ESPN HoopGurlz as one of the top 20 forwards in the country coming out of high school. She was recruited by the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Wake Forest and many other Big 12 schools, but in the end she chose to come to Stillwater.
"When I came here I just loved the environment," Jones said. "I loved the family atmosphere we have here. I love the team and the coaches. I love the playing style and everyone here is just so welcoming."
Jones' parents are Morris Jones and Pamela Junksley. Jones is the second of three daughters. She has an older sister, Tonishia, and a younger sister, Aleshia.
Jones is seen as the basketball prodigy of her family. Her father played junior college basketball at Fort Scott Community College and her older sister played until her sophomore year of high school, but Jones has otherwise had no other family members who have gotten as serious about basketball as she has.
Her younger sister may come to challenge her eventually, though.
"She's in seventh grade, so she's still young but she's pretty good," Jones said. "I play against her every now and then and help her out."
Jones prides herself on being a versatile player and she is always trying to add something new to her on-court arsenal.
"I've been working on my face-up a lot lately, but I also really like rebounding," Jones said.
Of the court, Jones said she enjoys dancing as one of her hobbies and is proud of the fact she lost 36 pounds upon arriving at Oklahoma State.
Her favorite player growing up, and one she's tried to model her game after? Michael Jordan. Not a bad choice.
While it may be hard for anyone to stack up with the greatest of all time, LaTashia Jones has already carved out an impressive legacy of her own.
The freshman from Leavenworth, Kansas, helped lead Leavenworth High School to back-to-back state titles during her final two seasons as a Lady Pioneer. Along the way, Jones earned Class 5A all-tournament squad honors and was named a first-team all-state selection as a senior.
Now an Oklahoma State Cowgirl, Jones looks to transition some of that success to next level.
"I've just got to keep the winning mindset," Jones said. "I know what it takes to win a championship and how it to work hard."
Jones said there have been many challenges so far in transitioning from high school to college but that she's ready to face them.
"It's a lot more up-tempo," Jones said. "It's a lot more work and dedication than high school, but it's better. It's been a lot of fun. I've also got to work on consistency and I also need to work on some more defensive things."
Jones was rated by ESPN HoopGurlz as one of the top 20 forwards in the country coming out of high school. She was recruited by the likes of Alabama, Arkansas, Wake Forest and many other Big 12 schools, but in the end she chose to come to Stillwater.
"When I came here I just loved the environment," Jones said. "I loved the family atmosphere we have here. I love the team and the coaches. I love the playing style and everyone here is just so welcoming."
Jones' parents are Morris Jones and Pamela Junksley. Jones is the second of three daughters. She has an older sister, Tonishia, and a younger sister, Aleshia.
Jones is seen as the basketball prodigy of her family. Her father played junior college basketball at Fort Scott Community College and her older sister played until her sophomore year of high school, but Jones has otherwise had no other family members who have gotten as serious about basketball as she has.
Her younger sister may come to challenge her eventually, though.
"She's in seventh grade, so she's still young but she's pretty good," Jones said. "I play against her every now and then and help her out."
Jones prides herself on being a versatile player and she is always trying to add something new to her on-court arsenal.
"I've been working on my face-up a lot lately, but I also really like rebounding," Jones said.
Of the court, Jones said she enjoys dancing as one of her hobbies and is proud of the fact she lost 36 pounds upon arriving at Oklahoma State.
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