Stephanie Jones Won't Give Up on Her WNBA Dream

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. — There are only 180 roster spots in the WNBA, and Stephanie Jones is aiming for one of them.

The 27-year-old veteran forward signed a training camp contract with the Atlanta Dream in mid-April, hoping to make the team’s final 12-player roster alongside sister Brionna Jones.

Stephanie Jones participated in shootaround during the team’s practice at Gateway Arena on Saturday afternoon, a day ahead of their second preseason game, and afterward she discussed how much she’s been enjoying the experience as she adjusts to the Dream under head coach Karl Smesko’s leadership.

“Just being able to be out here with the other girls, surrounded by greatness, being able to experience that and getting to play with that, it’s been fun,” Jones said with a big smile.

The 6-foot-2 Jones has played 23 regular-season games with the Connecticut Sun and Washington Mystics in her WNBA career — but none since 2022. Stephanie and Brionna, 30, were teammates previously with the Sun and in college at the University of Maryland. Brionna Jones, a 10th-year forward, is currently recovering from right knee surgery.

The sisters participated in shooting drills with each other during training camp practices, and a noticeable level of confidence could be seen from Brionna during her drills Saturday. Stephanie Jones explained how their level of mutual support hasn’t changed since they were younger. They still sit down together to exchange observations and goals from practice, pushing each other to perform their drills to the fullest.

Stephanie Jones pinpointed consistency as key areas of focus, as she and other new Dream players acclimate to Smesko's terminology for plays and drills.

“These last few days, we’ve definitely been talking about it amongst ourselves, like ‘Hey, what’s this? And what’s this?’ or making sure that we’re on the same page. That’s the biggest thing, communication,” Jones said. “And, we take a lot of notes.”