Nottingham Wildcats Jasmine Joyner has been awarded the Basketball Journalists Association Women’s Player of the Year for 2020 after a terrific season in the WBBL.
American born Joyner averaged over 19 points per game (bettered only in the Division by Sheffield’s Asher Thomas) last season and lead the way for the highest average attacking rebounds per game (at 13.1) and highest average defensive rebounds (at 7.8) as well as the most average blocks, with more field goals made (113) and two point shots converted (103) she had scored more points than any other player in the WBBL prior to lockdown over the 2019/20 campaign.
In only her second year at Nottingham, Joyner, who fittingly dedicated her award to Wildcats legend Pauline Prior who died in February, stated “I thank God, first of all for winning this award, with everything happening in this world right now, this is some good news that I like hearing and it makes me miss basketball even more.”
“It’s because of my team-mates that I won this award. They make this game fun, but this award is also for Pauline Prior.”
“We lost a basketball legend and I must say the way we finished the interrupted season was amazing and I know Mrs Prior was with us in spirit, so this is for her.”
“Thank you to everyone involved with the Nottingham Wildcats this season, to our amazing fans, thank you. I can’t wait for next season.”
Jasmine is currently back home under lockdown restriction in the USA where she has been vocal towards the Black Lives Matter Movement that has gripped the world through the tragic death of George Floyd, Joyner recently stating on Twitter “If you don’t support me here” (ie with defeating racism) “then do NOT and I can’t stress this enough… support me here.” Referring to herself on the court as a Basketball player for the Nottingham Wildcats.
A powerful message from a girl who in her own words described herself as “a hard person to love at times” but stating she’s ‘thankful for the ones that stick by her side through it all.’
Joyner is certainly a voice with reason and when it comes to basketball she is hotly becoming one of the best prospects in the UK game and as we at Nottingham Sport will always continue to support Jasmine and the Wildcats on the court, off it, when it comes to black lives matter we support that to, just as we support any other movement that encourages peace, unity and equality in the world.
*Main image @bballengland Joyner lining up yet another point scoring effort last season.
