May 23, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Northwestern women's basketball head coach Beth Combs announced today the signing of Lakeisha Jones (Winnsboro, La./Winnsboro) to an NCAA National Letter of Intent. Jones, a transfer from Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, is eligible to play in the upcoming 2006-07 season.

"Keisha will make an immediate impact on our program," Combs said. "She has true game experience and knows how to score. We are so thrilled to have her join our Wildcat family and cannot wait to have her on the court."

Jones, a 6-1 forward from Winsborro, La., is a two-time All-Region selection who started 61 games at Paris Junior College (PJC). A two-time team MVP, Jones led the conference in scoring as a freshman, averaging 20.3 points per conference game. She ranks in PJC's all-time top two in scoring, rebounding, field goals made and field goal percentage. She averaged 15.3 ppg and 7.75 rpg her senior season with the Dragons. The 2005-06 team captain was also a member of the Region XIV All-Academic team.

Her full biography appears below:

Lakeisha Jones
6-1, Forward
Winsborro, La.

Paris Junior College: Two-time All-Region Selection ... Two-time PJC MVP ... 2005-06 team captain ... Region XIV All-Academic team ... Conference's leading scorer as a freshman averaging 20.3 ppg (conference games only) ... Ranks second in PJC record books in scoring (994 pts/16.3 ppg), rebounding (473/7.75), field goals made (384), field goal percentage (51.5 percent) ... Fourth on school's all-time list in field goals attempted (746) and free- throws made (210).

Personal: Born Lakeisha Jones on 8/6/86 in Winnsboro, La. ... Daughter of Cheryl Baldwin ... Chose NU over Clemson, Tulsa and Southeastern ... One of five nominates in the running for PJC's Distinguished Service Award, given to the student who has shown leadership inside and outside the classroom and campus ... Will enroll in School of Education and Social Policy.