The MVP of the 2021 WNBA season, Jonquel Jones, had another amazing outing in international play. Playing for Bosnia and Herzegovina against Belgium, which featured 2019 WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman, Jones had 44 points, 22 rebounds, 4 assists, and a steal. She led her national team to an 87-81 win in the first qualification game for FIBA Women's Eurobasket 2023.

Before the game, we asked Jones about the WNBA Finals she just finished with the Connecticut Sun and the overall season she had in the WNBA. She told ClutchPoints: “Regular season was good for us. The playoffs are a whole different ball game. I feel like we never played our best, but still, a lot to look forward to and a lot of good things happening with Connecticut.”

WNBA Jonquel Jones

After the game finished, Jones responded to a question about the differences in the WNBA and international play. She stated:

I think overseas in general, the crowd, has a bigger appreciation for women's basketball. I think it is way better than it is in the WNBA. You can go from a game where the gym is full to some games where there is a few people in the stands. I do not think they fully appreciate women's basketball and the level it is played at. When I come overseas I definitely always appreciate that and appreciate people loving us and watching us, and understanding that we put a lot of time in our game. I think that is the biggest difference. WNBA, talent wise, is up there, there is a lot of talent every night and every team can win. Overall, the atmosphere overseas is second to none.

We also caught up with the best Belgian player, Emma Meesseman. She famously skipped the 2021 WNBA season and we asked her about her potential return to the league. She told me: “I think it is still early to say because we have so much to do with the national team, and I want to take it step by step. I will have a whole winter ahead of me to think about it. I do not think the WNBA is a closed chapter for me.”

Both Belgium and Bosnia and Herzegovina will play their next game on Sunday, and Meesseman and Jones, respectively, will feature for their national teams.