Brionna Jones returns to Maryland as director of player personnel 

Today, Maryland women’s basketball announced that Brionna Jones will return to College Park for the 2023-24, this time on the bench as the director of player personnel.  

Jones graduated from Maryland in 2017, following a stellar career in which she averaged 13.6 points, 8.5 rebounds, and shot 65% from the floor. In her time as a Terrapin, the Maryland native scored a total of 1,928 points (seventh all-time) and tallied 1,209 rebounds (third all-time). The Terps won three consecutive Big Ten regular season and conference tournament titles, and reached back-to-back Final Fours during her career.

“I am very excited to be able to come back to the University of Maryland and help out the team this upcoming season,” Jones said in a statement released by the school. “I am looking forward to getting a chance to work with and get to know the amazing young women I have gotten to watch from afar over the last few years. I am thankful to be able to get my first insight into the coaching side of basketball at my alma mater working with Coach [Brenda] Frese, and I cannot wait to get started!” 

Jones began her sixth WNBA season this summer before being sidelined with a ruptured Achilles tendon. She was on pace to have a career season this year with the Connecticut Sun, averaging 15.9 points and 8.2 rebounds through the first 13 games of the season, continuing the massive upward trajectory she’s exhibited over the past few years. She was recognized in 2021 as the league’s Most Improved Player, and in 2022 as a Sixth Player of the Year before starting every game and leading her team in scoring to start this year. 

“We are thrilled to welcome Pro Terp Brionna Jones back home to her Maryland family as our Director of Player Personnel,” Frese said in a press release. “What an incredible opportunity for us to be able to utilize an All Star and pro in our program. Our student-athletes will be able to gain so many valuable insights from her. It’s a GREAT day to be a Terp!”

In past WNBA offseasons, Jones has played overseas, first with Nadezhda Orenburg and more recently with USK Prague. This season, given her Achilles injury, Jones will presumably continue rehab in Maryland, with the support and resources of the Maryland program at her fingertips. 

Maryland returners are fairly guard-heavy, with the majority of post presence having redshirted last season due to injury, or being newcomers to the team. Jones will likely play a key role in supporting forwards and centers as they get game-ready.

Jones will coach against Connecticut Sun teammate Natisha Hiedeman, when Maryland meets Penn State in Big Ten Conference play.