By JUDD WEIL
Hutch Post
NICKERSON, Kan. — Ava Jones of Nickerson is forging ahead with her
future, after signing her National Letter of Intent (NIL) to play
basketball at the University of Iowa on Nov. 9.
After a life-changing crash in Louisville, Ky. left Ava and her mother, Amy, in critical condition and killed her father, Trey, the University of Iowa previously stated Ava would keep her scholarship whether or not she would be able to play basketball.
Ava Jones was not alone by any means as she signed her NIL, surrounded and supported by family, friends, and coaches who saw her basketball career nearly, and wrongfully, stolen from her.
“To my family, my dad, my mom, and my brothers, and then all my grandparents,” said Ava. “I love them all so much. Thank you for everything you have done for me.”
The emotional signing culminated in Ava thanking the people of Nickerson for their support.
“To the community of Nickerson, it has not been easy,” expressed Ava. “I mean for my family, but it’s just unexplainable how grateful I am of you and the things that they have done, Nickerson, for my family and I, is incredible.”
After the signing, Ava said she had not doubt she would be able to sign.
“It feels real now,” said Ava. “I mean it did before, but now it feels really real, like I am going to go to Iowa and be a Hawkeye.”
Ava will be part of the University of Iowa Hawkeyes basketball team in a managerial capacity as she continues to recover.
According to Ava, she could be practicing with the team in one to two years.
“A person wouldn’t be able to do this on two torn ACLs and I don’t know if I’ll be able to yet,” said Ava.
Despite this, Ava said she is not worried because she knows who her surgeon is. The thing she is most excited about is being able to walk again after her surgeries.
Ava’s future surgeries include both of her knees in separate operations, as well as her shoulder. Operation on her right knee is planned for Nov. 21.
“I am so happy that she is seeing her dream to fruition,” said Amy Jones.
Amy, like most parents when their kids move away, admits she'll worry about her daughter. Especially after what their family has gone through.
After she has recovered from the surgeries that she still needs, Amy said she will visit Ava in Iowa as soon as she can.
“She keeps me motivated to keep pushing and keep working hard,” said Amy. “I just hope she enjoys college, whether she plays basketball or not, like she makes friends and gets acclimated.”
During her time at the University of Iowa, Ava is going to major in communications.
Ava said she is going to take a lot of hope with her to Iowa from the community of Nickerson.
“This town is just full of hope, and this community is just so full of excitement,” said Ava. “I’m going to be excited to go to Iowa.”
For her future in recovery, Ava said she is going to do whatever the coaches tell her to do so she can get on the basketball court.
Ava wants people who hear her story to remember to keep pushing.