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TULSA, Oklahoma : Disgraced athletics star Marion Jones, stripped of five medals from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, has signed to play for the Tulsa Shock of the Women's NBA, the club announced on Wednesday.
Jones admitted in 2007 that she took the once-undetectable designer steroid THG that was at the heart of the BALCO steroid scandal, using it to help her win three gold medals and two bronze medals she was later forced to return.
Jones was released from a federal prison 18 months ago after serving a six-month sentence for lying about taking performance-enhancing drugs as well as her role in a check fraud plot in 2003.
Now at age 34, Jones hopes to launch a new sports career as a rookie free agent, hoping to provide Shock value.
"I'm extremely excited. I may not be your typical rookie in this league, but I'll still bring that rookie energy," Jones said. "I'm looking forward to competing against the best female athletes in the world."
She worked out for the team on Saturday and will make the league minimum, about 35,000 dollars for the 2010 season.
"We're thrilled to have her," Shock head coach Nolan Richardson told the Tulsa World newspaper. "In the workouts last week I saw how hard she works. She has things you can't teach, like speed and great hand and eye coordination.
"She looks chiselled. Her age might be saying one thing but everything about her is saying she's young."
Shock president Steve Swetoha said Jones deserves another chance at a sports career despite her dope cheat admission and previous fall from grace.
"People make mistakes. When they do, they are held accountable," Swetoha told the World. "She has paid the price for that. I truly believe she's looking to move forward and be productive, not only off the court but on the court."
Jones was a starting point guard for the 1994 University of North Carolina women's basketball national champions. The WNBA Phoenix Mercury drafted her in 2003 but she has never played a game in the league.
"After a lot of thought, I realised this is a great fit for me because of coach Richardson's up-tempo style of play," Jones said.
"She chose us because she knows my style of basketball," said Richardson, known for his up-tempo style during his men's college coaching career. "The only issue is how much time will she need to get her basketball body back.
"I got an idea of her speed last week. That was just to give me a sense of where she is and how far she needs to go to be in basketball shape."
Richardson has no problem with Jones' troubled sporting past.
"I talked with the WNBA and they told me there was no stipulation whatsoever about her joining," Richardson said. "She is stepping out, changing careers. I am too. She needed a place that fits and what better fit than here?
"I'm a no-nonsense coach. She understands that. I'm glad she came to me."
The WNBA season opens May 15, when the Shock play host to Minnesota. - AFP/de
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