Former Baylor University women’s basketball guard Melissa Jones died Friday at her home in Commerce City, Colorado, her mother, Kathy Jones, told KWTX, a Texas news station.
She was 36.
A cause of death was not disclosed.
Jones, who played for Baylor from 2007-11, helped lead the Bears to the Final Four in 2010 and a Big 12 championship the next year.
She was named the 2011 Big 12 Female Sportsperson of the Year, and served as team captain in her final two seasons.
Baylor retired her No. 5 jersey.
“It was the time of her life. She has so many fond memories and made so many beautiful friends there, and she’d kept up with so many over the years. It’s a beautiful thing,” Kathy said of her daughter’s time at Baylor.
She added that her daughter maintained a close relationship with former Baylor women’s basketball coach and now LSU women’s coach Kim Mulkey.
“She loved Coach Mulkey. Melissa had an exceptional relationship with her,” Kathy said. “Kim had a special place in her heart for Melissa, and Melissa always had a very special place in her heart.”
Mulkey explained that Jones was the “glue” that kept their team together.
“Melissa Jones left her mark on Baylor University, not just women’s basketball. She was loved by the entire Waco community. Everything she did for us was full speed,” Mulkey told KWTX. “She played the game the way every player should — always had energy, played hard, and was a great leader.
“Her teammates respected her because she represented everything — her effort, her caring, her knowledge and her toughness were unmatched. She was the ‘glue’ that kept the team together good times and bad.”
The program shared a statement Wednesday in an Instagram post.
“The Baylor Family mourns the loss of 2011 alum Melissa Jones,” the Baylor women’s basketball account wrote. “Her impact on our women’s basketball program will not be forgotten. Please keep the Jones family and the Baylor women’s basketball program in your prayers during this time.”
Atlanta Dream star Brittney Griner, one of Jones’s former teammates, reshared Baylor’s Instagram post to her Story.
Jones was remembered as a “bright light” in an obituary written by her family.
“Melissa lived a life full of accomplishments — too many to list — but clearly reflected in the countless lives she touched,” the obituary said. “Known for her warmth and radiant spirit, Melissa was a bright light to all who had the privilege of knowing her.”
She is survived by her mother; her grandmothers, Martha Kimball and Carolyn Jones; and her brothers, Matthew Jones, Mark Jones and Michael Jones, as well as nieces and nephews.
[Notigroup Newsroom in collaboration with other media outlets, with information from the following sources]
