Ava Jones, a 6-foot-2, No. 83 recruit, verbally committed last week to play college ball at Iowa University. Days after her verbal commitment, Ava was seriously injured in a car accident that also put her parents, Trey and Amy, in critical condition, too.
Unfortunately, her father Trey died on Thursday at the hospital from his injuries sustained in the car crash.
Trey was a teacher and coach at Nickerson High School in Kansas; he was 42 years old.
BACKSTORY
The Jones family was in Louisville for the popular tournament, Run 4 The Roses, that Ava was playing in on her AAU team, Southwest Elite. While the family was on the sidewalk, they were hit by a car being driven by Michael Hurley. Initially, Hurley was charged with driving under the influence and four counts of first-degree assault. Ava’s younger brother was also hit only sustaining minor injuries. Since Trey has safely passed, Hurley now has a murder charge added. According to reports, the driver had recently taken Hydrocodone before getting behind the wheel.
Last season, Ava averaged 20.8 points, 15.4 rebounds, and 2.4 assists at Nickerson High. She is a three-sport athlete who also is on the track and volleyball team. Before committing to Iowa, Ava was committed to Arizona State, however, reopened her recruiting following the retirement of then-head coach, Charlie Turner Thorne.
Although Iowa has not released a statement on the Jones’ condition since Ava has yet to sign with the Hawkeyes, assistant coach Jan Jensen did post on Instagram she has visited the family in the hospital along with head coach Lisa Bluder.
