What happened to Ava Jones? Former Iowa women’s basketball player reveals cancer diagnosis three years after 2022 crash

Ava Jones, a former basketball player from Iowa, recently announced her cancer diagnosis via social media. In an Instagram post, she confirmed that she has been diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. Despite the diagnosis, Jones mentioned she is strong enough to fight it and also has her faith in the doctors treating her.

Sharing the piece of news, she wrote,

"I was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma after the results from the biopsy came back."

"This is the news no one ever wants to get, but especially after spending the last 2 and a half years working my butt off and recovering from getting hit by a car. My body is very strong and I am confident in the doctors here at Iowa," she added.

She also dropped a video of her talking about her diagnosis. In the short clip, Jones said,

"Today is February 4th, World Cancer Day, and I got diagnosed with cancer today."

To make the mood lighter, Jones shared a screenshot of her chat with a friend who mentioned that her results came on World Cancer Day. The friend wrote,

"Ava - I just wanted to let you know that you really had to get diagnosed on the holiday. Wow. This is next level impressive."

"Jeepers... I'm special i guess," Ava replied.

Ava Jones' 2022 accident explained

In 2024, an Indiana man was found guilty of driving under the influence and murder in the 2022 crash that involved Ava Jones and her family. The Jones family was reportedly in Louisville for an AAU basketball tournament in July 2022. A few days before the crash, Jones had committed to playing for the Hawkeyes in 2022.

In the crash, Jones's father Trey Jones died. The basketball player suffered a brain injury in the crash, while her mother sustained some injuries.

Last year, Ava Jones was honored by Iowa and offered a scholarship for being on the basketball team as a freshman. As she had several surgeries due to the brain injury, she retired from the game in June, last year.

In a social media post, Jones wrote,

"I would like to start by saying how grateful I am to have been part of the Iowa women’s basketball program."

"It is with great sadness to announce that I am medically retiring from college basketball. My coaches, doctors, teammates and trainers have been amazing since the accident. While I will no longer be a member of the women’s basketball program, I will still be on scholarship, receive a world-class education and forever be a Hawkeye."

She further thanked her family for supporting her throughout her journey. Ava Jones also mentioned how she was excited for the next chapter of her life.

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Edited by Priscillah Mueni