Inside the making of the new State Farm ad starring WNBA MVP and Sun All-star Jones
Jonquel Jones was taken aback when her agent approached her about one particular marketing opportunity last season. State Farm wanted to feature the eventual WNBA MVP in a new commercial spot.
“I was ecstatic, obviously,” Jones told the Hartford Courant earlier this week. “I just couldn’t believe it. It’s such a big-time commercial. They run it in so many different places and on primetime television, so it was a huge thing, definitely was a huge thing. And my family was super excited, too — super, super excited.”
If you’ve watched live sports lately, particularly the NBA playoffs, you’ve probably seen it. You know, the one where the 6-foot-6 Connecticut Sun forward steps in to assist Trae Young with a jar of pickles?
“Here you go,” Jones says after reaching over the 6-foot-1 Atlanta Hawks guard to grab the jar on a high shelf.
“Thanks, Jonquel,” Young responds, appearing a little sad that he couldn’t grab it himself.
record in the league in 2021, is loaded with talent. The roster is highlighted by six players who are All-stars or have been at some point in their career: Jonquel Jones, forward Brionna Jones — who was named the WNBA’S most improved player in 2021 — forward Alyssa Thomas, wing Dewanna Bonner and guards Courtney Williams and Jasmine Thomas.
The Sun aim to play at a fast pace after finishing last in the league in that category last year, but playing through the post with the trio of Alyssa Thomas, Brionna Jones and Jonquel Jones will remain a major emphasis.
Jonquel Jones looks to continue her dominance after putting up 19.4 points, 11.2 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game in her MVP campaign. Brionna
Jones emerged as a star in her own right, averaging 14.7 points, 7.3 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.4 steals. Alyssa Thomas is back fully healthy after sitting out the bulk of last season with a torn Achilles tendon. If she can get even close to the level she played at in 2020, when she averaged 15.5 points, 9.0 rebounds, 4.8 assists and 2.0 steals, it’ll make a huge difference for the Sun.
Williams also wasn’t on the court with the Sun last season, as she spent the last two years on the Atlanta Dream, but she proved to be an integral piece for the team in the past. The 5-foot-8 guard was with the franchise from 2016-19, playing a big role in the team’s run to the finals in 2019.
Considering Bonner, a four-time All-star and two time WNBA champion, wasn’t on the team and Brionna Jones was nowhere near the player she is now during that 2019 campaign, the Sun certainly
make a strong case to get there again this season.
However, the Sun won’t have their full roster available on Saturday. Williams has to sit out the first two games of the season on a suspension and Bonner is still competing overseas in Turkey, with her timeline to return to the team unclear. Miller will rely on rotation players Natisha Hiedeman and Dijonai Carrington to help fill those gaps early on.
What to know about the New York Liberty
The Liberty are looking to take a big leap forward after sneaking into the playoffs as the No. 8 seed and finishing with a 12-20 record in 2021.
The star guard tandem of Sabrina Ionescu and Betnijah Laney will undoubtedly lead the way. New York is under a new head coach in Sandy Brondello, who served in the same role for the Phoenix Mercury from 2014-21.
The New York roster also features two players that Connecticut fans should be especially familiar with. Former Uconn star Stefanie Dolson signed with the team this past offseason after winning the league championship with the Chicago Sky. After averaging 7.5 points and 3.5 rebounds per game for the Sky in 2021, the 6-f5 center is expected to play a bigger role.
Waived by the Sun after two seasons with the team, wing Kaila Charles signed with the Liberty on a hardship contract on Friday. Though it’s unclear how much she’ll play as a new addition, Charles is listed as available for Saturday’s game.