Jones becomes US pro volleyballer
AIKO JONES has signed her first professional volleyball contract, putting pen to paper with the Atlanta Vibe in the Volleyball Pro League in the United States
“To be very honest, that was the last thing on my mind. It feels maybe not as big as other people think, because there are many Jamaicans who have played volleyball overseas before, but, with these new US pro leagues, this is great because I stay closer to home. It does feel really good but I know that there were others who paved the way before me, so I don’t want to take all the credit,” she said in a Smile Jamaica interview on Thursday.
The former Wolmer’s Trust High School for Girls standout credited her parents, broadcaster PaulaAnne Porter-Jones and Dr Thaon Jon Jones, who both excelled in the sport, for her love for volleyball.
Jones, who was also a standout track and field athlete in Jamaica, having won multiple CARIFTA medals, later went onto the United States on scholarship to the University of Louisville to play for the women’s volleyball team.
She said, when she first started playing in the US, it was intimidating but, with the help of her high-school and college coaches, she was able to achieve many milestones.
“Now, looking back, I am like ‘Wow, this is the girl who grew up in Jamaica playing on asphalt and has done something in this US volleyball world’,” she said.
Jones, who has had many achievements on the court, has been excelling off the court as well. She just completed a masters in communications, after earning two bachelor degrees in biology and communication.
“I never saw myself going there (studying communications), but I also have a passion for creating and having an impact on my community,” she said.
“I got into marketing and a little bit of social media strategy. I have some part-time gigs doing that right now while I’m waiting on the pro season to start, but my plan is to play volleyball for as long as my knees allow me to,” Jones said.
Jones signed a one-year contract with Atlanta Vibe and says she is putting in the work to make the team’s active roster.
“What are the odds I signed my first professional contract in the same stadium I stood in front of #CardNation for the first time?” Jones posted on X.
The Jamaica Volleyball Association has congratulated the 24-year-old on her achievements.