BIRMINGHAM, Ala. – Texas women's basketball senior Taylor Jones will have the handwritten letters “DMFJ” on her shoes when she runs onto the court for the Longhorn’s Elite Eight game against TCU on Monday.
The “D” stands for Dina, the “J” stands for Jones and “you can probably figure out the other two words,” Jones told USA TODAY Sports on Sunday.
Jones’ mom passed away from lung cancer in 2019. Jones wears the letters as a reminder that her mom, whose nickname was DMFJ, is always with her.
“She was always someone who reminded me that I’m more than a basketball player,” Jones said. “And I think I always keep that in mind.”
Jones, a 6-foot-4 center, will go head-to-head with someone familiar Monday – TCU's Sedona Prince, who averages 17.6 points and 9.4 rebounds per game. Both Texas natives, they also both began their college career at schools in Oregon. They've matched up often enough that Jones has learned about Prince’s tendencies and strengths.
“She’s a great offensive rebounder, but she’s also really good at passing,” Jones said. “So I will be trying to make sure that my hands are in the passing lane and pushing her out.”
This last rematch will also mark the last college game for either Jones or Prince.
“It’ll be fun to have one more rematch,” Jones said.
Jones is in her sixth year as a college player. She spent three years at Oregon State before transferring back home to Texas — a school her mom always wanted her to attend.
“She just loved that school,” Jones said. “So knowing that I came back, and just knowing that she’s watching over me, it’s amazing.”
Texas has made the NCAA Tournament in all three seasons that Jones has worn a Longhorns jersey, including a run to the Elite Eight last season. In this year’s tournament, Jones has averaged 14.3 points and 6.3 rebounds per game.
Although a lot of Jones’ traits come from her mom, her athletic ability was not one of them.
“She used to always tell us in middle school she played basketball and she scored two points,” Jones said. “But she scored them for the other team on accident.”
