Former Baylor basketball star Melissa Jones dies at 36
Melissa Jones, a standout former Baylor University women’s basketball player and fan favorite, has died at the all too young age of 36, according to her family and the university.
Jones died on April 3 at her home in Commerce City, Colorado, her mother confirmed. A cause of death has not been publicly released.
A Colorado native, Jones played for the Lady Bears from 2007 to 2011 under then-head coach Kim Mulkey, helping lead the program to a Final Four appearance in 2010 and a Big 12 championship the following season. Known for her relentless energy and leadership, she became one of the program’s most respected players—earning the rare honor of having her No. 5 jersey retired.
Jones’ impact extended far beyond the stat sheet. She finished her career ranked among Baylor’s top players in multiple categories, including games played, steals, and free-throw percentage. In 2011, she was named the Big 12 Female Sportsperson of the Year and became the inaugural recipient of Baylor’s “Melissa Jones Hustle and Courage Award,” created in her honor after she overcame a serious eye injury late in her career.
Following news of her death, Baylor University paid tribute, calling her influence on the program unforgettable and asking for prayers for her family.
Mulkey, now the head coach at LSU, remembered Jones as more than just a player. “My heart is broken… she was family,” Mulkey said, describing her as a leader whose “effort, caring, knowledge and toughness were unmatched” and the teammate who held the group together through both triumph and adversity.
Former teammates and fans also shared tributes, including WNBA star Brittney Griner, who played alongside Jones at Baylor and remembered her fondly.
Off the court, Jones remained closely connected to her Baylor roots, cherishing the friendships and experiences she built during what her family described as “the time of her life.”
Jones was remembered as a “bright light” in an obituary written by her family, according to Yahoo! Sports,
“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.
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(Sources: People, Fox News, Yahoo! Sports)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
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