Iowa WCBB's Ava Jones Medically Retires After Being Hit By Car in 2022

Iowa forward Ava Jones announced on social media that she is medically retiring from college basketball.

"I would like to start by saying how grateful I am to have been part of the Iowa women's basketball program. It is with great sadness to announce that I am medically retiring from college basketball. My coaches, doctors, teammates and trainers have been amazing since the accident. While I will no longer be a member of the women's basketball program, I will still be on scholarship, receive a world-class education and forever be a Hawkeye.

"I'd like to thank my family for the never-ending support and I am excited for the next chapter of my life."

Per ESPN.com's Michael Voepel, Jones suffered a traumatic brain injury, torn ligaments in both knees and a shoulder injury after an impaired driver swerved off the road and hit her and her parents while they were walking on a Louisville, Kentucky sidewalk in July 2022. The Jones family, who is from Nickerson, Kansas, was in town for an AAU tournament.

Trey Jones, Ava's father, died in the hospital. Amy Jones, Ava's mother, suffered a brain injury and 21 broken bones, per Voepel.

The driver, Michael Hurley, was indicted in Jefferson County Circuit Court and charged with one count of murder, three counts of assault and one count of driving under the influence, per WDRB. He admitted to police on scene after the crash that he had taken hydrocodone, an opioid, beforehand. His trial has been delayed, and his bond has been lowered from $500,000 to $50,000 cash.

Iowa head coach Jan Jensen released a statement following Jones' announcement.

"We wish Ava the best on the road to recovery and fully support the decision she made to step away from the game," Jensen said. "She worked tirelessly to get to this point, but she made the best decision for herself and her well-being."

Per the Iowa athletics website, Jones was ranked No. 84 on ESPN's 2023 HoopGurlz player ranking. She had just averaged 20.8 points and 15.4 rebounds during her junior high school season.