Following the crash, Louisville head coach Jeff Walz supports Ava Jones, an Iowa women’s basketball recruit, and her family.

Walz made sure the Iowa women’s basketball recruit and her family had everything they needed after they were struck by a car in Louisville in July 2022.

SEATTLE — Prior to Ava Jones’ accident in Louisville, Kentucky, last summer, head coach of the Louisville women’s basketball team Jeff Walz was unaware of the Iowa women’s basketball recruit.

A car struck Jones and her family on July 5, 2022, while they were at an AAU basketball tournament in downtown Louisville — two days after Jones had committed to the Iowa Hawkeyes.

With Louisville facing Iowa in the Elite Eight on Saturday, Walz stated, “It was just such a terrible situation that took place in Louisville during the big basketball weekend.” “As soon as we learned about it and witnessed what happened, I contacted Lisa Bluder, the head coach at Iowa, to see if there was anything that we could do. They were still trying to figure out what was going on and what would happen because it was so new and had just happened, so she said, “I’ll figure some things out.”

Jones suffered a traumatic brain injury, a shoulder injury, and torn ligaments in both of her knees. Her father, Trey Jones, passed away from his wounds, and her mother, Amy Jones, suffered a brain injury in addition to 21 broken bones.

With family by their sides, Jones and her mother recovered from their wounds in a Louisville hospital for more than a month.

Walz was also available to assist the family with any needs.

Bluder said, “I reached out to Jeff, and Jeff immediately provided a car for the family to use at no cost. It seemed to be without thought at all. For that family, it was something he wished to accomplish. I simply believe that he is a really nice man. When someone helps you in such a time of need, it says volumes about them.

According to Walz, one of Louisville’s supporters gave Jones’ grandmother the car she needed without even thinking twice.

And after just one phone call to one of our boosters, everything was set in stone. Don’t stress over it. stated Walz. “They have a car dealership, and they gave her a car in ten minutes.” It is the cornerstone of our basketball community. In the end, it all comes down to being a decent person and acting morally. Sure, we’re all trying to outdo each other, and you’re trying to progress and win.

Bluder stated in October that Jones, the No. 83 recruit in the Class of 2023, might not be able to play basketball again due to her injuries. According to Bluder, Jones was struck by the car and suffered tears to all four major ligaments in both of her knees.