Upper Marlboro Student Alumnae To Play GW Basketball

Two Upper Marlboro high school graduates will join George Washington University's women's basketball program in the spring semester, according to a recent announcement by GW's head coach.

Six-foot-4 freshman forward Jonquel Jones and 5-foot-5 sophomore point guard Lauren Chase attended Riverdale Baptist in Upper Marlboro and will be eligible to play for GW in the fall, according to a recent GW news release.

Jones ranked fourth in the ACC in rebounds and blocks while playing for Clemson in the fall and Chase was named the American East Rookie of the Year last season at UMBC.

"We are very excited that JJ and Lauren are becoming members of our GW women's basketball family," said Jonathan Tsipis, GW Women's Basketball head coach. "They will be great ambassadors to the university with their academic and athletic abilities, as well as their contagious personalities. We are excited for them to get started here this spring and look forward to wonderful experiences they both will have at GW."

Jonquel Jones (Profile by GW)

Jones averaged 9.8 points, 10.0 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game - ranking fourth in the ACC in rebounds and blocks - in eight games for Clemson this fall before announcing her intent to transfer. She shot 48.3 percent from the field and recorded four double-doubles with career highs of 17 points and 14 rebounds against South Carolina State on Dec. 9, her final game with the Tigers. Prior to the season, Jones was named to the ACC Preseason Newcomer Watch List by both the ACC head coaches and the Blue Ribbon Panel.

A native of Freeport, Bahamas, Jones came to the U.S. in high school and led Riverdale Baptist to a 35-2 record, a National Christian High School championship and a No. 6 ranking in the POWERADE FAB 50 in her senior year. The 6-4 wing player, ranked as the No. 17 overall prospect in her class by ESPN HoopGurlz, averaged 15.7 points and 15.6 rebounds and was named Gatorade Maryland Player of the Year and Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year. Jones was also selected to play in the 2012 WBCA All-America Game and was a McDonald's All-America nominee. 

Lauren Chase (Profile by GW)

Chase was named the America East Rookie of the Year last season at UMBC after averaging 8.4 points and 4.6 assists in her inaugural collegiate campaign, leading the league in assists and ranking second in assist-to-turnover ratio (1.2), and she helped lead the Retrievers to the 2012 America East title game for just the second time in school history. This year Chase was averaging 13.0 points and 4.3 assists through eight games before announcing her intent to transfer. In her career, the 5-5 point guard has recorded three double-doubles of points and assists, including a 22-point, 10-assist effort against Coppin State on Nov. 14.

A native of Bowie, Md., Chase was a three-time Washington Post All-Met honorable mention. She averaged 13 points and six assists per game in her high school career and was rated as the No. 57 point guard in her class by ESPN HoopGurlz. She led Riverdale Baptist to the No. 1 ranking in the Washington area and No. 20 in the nation as a junior.