In the latest installment of Inside NU’s series on women’s basketball player performance, we focus on shooting guard Kyla Jones. Transferring from Brown, Jones quickly became a critical asset for the Northwestern Wildcats.
Strengths
Jones made an immediate impact at Northwestern, one year after earning All-Ivy League honors. Her hard work quickly earned her a spot in both the rotation and the starting lineup, significantly contributing to a team that faced challenges over the previous two seasons.
One of her standout qualities is her ability to drive to the basket. Although her three-point shooting was inconsistent, defending the Chicago native was challenging for Big Ten opponents. Her quick first step and diverse finishing moves led to an impressive shooting percentage of over 50% from the field on approximately seven attempts per game.
Beyond her skills on the court, Jones assumed a vital leadership role for head coach Joe McKeown and the coaching staff. Drawing from three years of collegiate experience, she became a significant voice in the locker room during challenging situations and showcased her resilience during crucial moments in games.
Areas for Improvement
Despite her effectiveness in driving to the hoop, Jones faced difficulties with her outside shooting. Although she improved her three-point percentage from 8% to 28% during her time at Brown, this inconsistency became a barrier to her further development as a scorer in a high-major program.
At Northwestern, her struggles from beyond the arc continued, as she never seemed to find her rhythm when shooting from long range.
Additionally, Jones demonstrated a surprising decline in her free-throw shooting this season. After finishing her final season at Brown with a free-throw accuracy of 70%, her percentage dropped to 54% at Northwestern, even though she frequently drew fouls with her aggressive play. This inconsistency diminished the value of her ability to draw free throws.
Overall Assessment
Kyla Jones’ commitment to Northwestern was seen as a significant acquisition for the Wildcats, and she lived up to the expectations throughout the season. Her standout performance, including a notable 28-point game against Illinois State, made a strong impression in Evanston.
Despite the challenges faced by the Northwestern team overall, Jones remained a shining presence on the court, contributing effectively on both ends of play. Her tenacity helped her lead the team in scoring on multiple occasions, complementing the skills of teammates Caroline Lau and Casey Harter.
While not every aspect of her season was flawless, Jones proved to be an invaluable player for Northwestern, differentiating herself in a team still navigating the difficulties of past seasons. Even with the team’s struggles, her contributions this fall and winter deserve recognition.
