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Former No. 1 Women's Basketball Recruit Cut By WNBA Franchise

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Jun 10, 2025 6:23 PM ET

The Phoenix Mercury quickly cut ties with a recent acquisition.

On June 1, the Mercury signed Haley Jones to a hardship contract. Seven days later, Phoenix parted ways with the 24-year-old guard. The Mercury waived Jones on Sunday.

Jones played four games during her brief time with Phoenix. The 6-foot-1 defensive specialist didn't score a point during 14 minutes in Saturday's 89-77 loss to the Seattle Storm.

In 2019, ESPN ranked Jones as its No. 1 overall high school recruit. The 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year made the 2019 McDonald's All-American Team before going to Stanford.

Jones averaged 13.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game during four seasons with the Cardinal. She won a national championship as a sophomore before becoming a first-team All-American the following season.

After setting career highs in points (13.5), rebounds (9.0), and assists (4.0) per game as a senior, Jones joined the WNBA as the Atlanta Dream's No. 6 pick. The Santa Cruz native averaged 3.8 points over two seasons despite starting 24 games in 2024.

Phoenix Mercury guard Haley Jones (30) passes the ball against the Golden State Valkyries in the second half at Footprint Center.Rick Scuteri-Imagn Images

Phoenix scooped up Jones when Atlanta waived her out of training camp last month. The Mercury have started 6-4 despite early injuries to Kahleah Copper, Alyssa Thomas, Megan McConnell, and Natasha Mack.

Courtesy of Desert Wave Media, Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said Thomas and Mack are both expected to return to play the Dallas Wings on Wednesday. With 10 healthy players, the WNBA's hardship contract rules required Phoenix to either waive Jones or offer her a standard contract.

"The plan is for AT to play," Tibbetts said on Monday. "She's been trending in the right direction. She had a really good day today, along with Mack, so I'm excited to get those two back."

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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