Former MVP Jonquel Jones re-signs with Liberty

The New York Liberty re-signed center Jonquel Jones on Friday after the 2021 MVP became an unrestricted free agent after last season.

According to ESPN, Jones received a two-year deal.

"We are overjoyed to welcome back JJ," Liberty general manager Jonathan Kolb said in a statement. "In just one season, she became an indelible part of the Liberty's core identity, on and off the court, and keeping her in seafoam was our first priority in open free agency as we continue our championship pursuit in 2024."

Jones was WNBA MVP in 2021 with the Connecticut Sun.

The Liberty reached the 2023 WNBA Finals before losing to the Las Vegas Aces 3-1 in the best-of-five series.

The 6-foot-6 Jones averaged 11.3 points, 8.4 rebounds and 1.3 blocked shots in 40 games last season. She stepped up her game in the postseason by averaging 17.0 points and 11.6 rebounds and also set a WNBA playoff record with eight double-doubles.

Jones spent her first six seasons (2016-22) with the Sun and was a four-time All-Star. In her MVP season, Jones averaged a career-best 19.4 points to go with 11.2 boards per game.