Of the St. Louis American
Shakara Jones, the top senior girls basketball player in the St. Louis metropolitan area, gave a verbal commitment to the University of Missouri.
A senior at Francis Howell Central, the 6’2” Jones led the St. Louis area in scoring as a junior. She chose the Tigers over Saint Louis University, Illinois and Tennessee. Legendary collegiate coach Pat Summitt of Tennessee came to St. Louis on numerous occasions to see Jones in action.
Jones will become the second member of the family to don a Tigers uniform. Shakara’s father, Ron Jones, was a former standout at the University of Missouri from 1982-85. She will make her commitment official when she signs an national letter of intent in two weeks.
A four-year starter at Howell Central, Jones has been a dominant player in the Gateway Athletic Conference since her freshman year. She entered school as a dominant low-post scorer, but she is now a versatile forward who can excel inside or on the perimeter.
As a junior, Jones averaged 25.5 points, 8.8 rebounds and 3.3 blocks per game in leading Howell Central to the GAC South title and second consecutive district championship. She is a two-time Missouri Class 5 All-State selection.
Jones will also be on the cover of the November issue of Rise Magazine, a national magazine that covers high school athletics. She is the subject of the feature story by the magazine.
