Former Baylor Basketball Star Melissa Jones Dies at 36
Former Baylor Basketball Star Melissa Jones Dies at 36
Natasha DyeThu, April 9, 2026 at 7:26 PM UTC
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Melissa Jones on March 26, 2010 in Memphis, Tenn.Credit: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey -
Former Baylor basketball star Melissa Jones died on Friday, April 3 at her home in Colorado, her mother told a local news station
A cause of death was not made available
Jones played under head coach Kim Mulkey, who remembered the late Baylor star for her "her effort, her caring, her knowledge and her toughness"
Former Baylor basketball star Melissa Jones has died at age 36.
Jones' mother Kathy shared that the former Bears guard died on April 3 at her home in Commerce City, Colo., she confirmed to local news station KWTX on Wednesday, April 8. Additional information, including a cause of death, was not made available.
Baylor University honored Jones with a statement on X, writing, "The Baylor Family mourns the loss of 2011 alum Melissa Jones. Her impact on our women's basketball program will not be forgotten."
Melissa Jones on March 24, 2009Credit: AP Photo/Eric Gay
The school asked followers to "please keep the Jones family and the Baylor women's basketball program in your prayers at this time."
Kathy told KWTX that her daughter "was my most treasured gift from God along with her 3 brothers."
Jones' mother also shared with the outlet that her daughter was proud to play for Baylor and enjoyed her experience at the school. “It was the time of her life. She has so many fond memories and made so many beautiful friends there, and she’d kept up with so many over the years. It’s a beautiful thing,” she said.
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Jones was a fan-favorite guard at Baylor, ranking among the school's top 10 in multiple categories. In 2011, she was the inaugural recipient of the school's Melissa Jones Hustle and Courage Award. In an interview for Baylor's magazine that year, Jones spoke highly of the "community" and "love and support" she felt at Baylor.
Melissa Jones on March 26, 2010 in MemphisCredit: AP Photo/Mark Humphrey
Jones played under now-LSU head coach Kim Mulkey during her years at Baylor, calling her a "leader" who "really motivates you to share her mentality" in her 2011 interview.
After Jones' death, Mulkey, 63, told KWTX in a statement: “Melissa Jones left her mark on Baylor University, not just women’s basketball. She was loved by the entire Waco community. Everything she did for us was full speed."
Mulkey told the outlet that Jones "played the game the way every player should," complimenting Jones for being a "great leader" and remembered the respect Jones' teammates had for her.
"Her teammates respected her because she represented everything — her effort, her caring, her knowledge and her toughness were unmatched. She was the “glue” that kept the team together good times and bad," Mulkey said.
on People
Source: “AOL Sports”
