Iowa basketball recruit seriously injured after being struck by car

Iowa basketball recruit Ava Jones and her family were hospitalized on Tuesday after being hit by a car in downtown Louisville.

Jones, her younger brother and their two parents, Amy and Trey Jones, were all walking along the sidewalk when a car left the road and struck the family. Both Jones and her parents were seriously injured while her younger brother was treated for “minor injuries”

As of Wednesday morning, the adults were reported to be in critical condition. Ava was considered “serious but stable.” The driver who struck them, Michael Hurley, has been charged with four counts of first-degree assault as well as driving under the influence after admitting to having taken the drug hydrocodone.

The rising high school senior was with her family in Louisville for the Run 4 the Roses girls’ basketball tournament.

“Right now, all we can do is say the family needs prayers,” Austin Johnson, Jones’ AAU coach, told ESPN via text message Wednesday.

Iowa standout Caitlin Clark tweeted on Thursday that the family “could use all of your prayers.”

This family who have become apart of our Hawkeye family could use all of your prayers. The power of prayer is so strong so let’s send as many as we can their way during this time🤍🙏🏻 https://t.co/Z0bojr6sch

— Caitlin Clark (@CaitlinClark22) July 7, 2022

Jones had initially committed to Arizona State, but following the retirement of Charli Turner, she reopened her recruitment. She later announced her commitment to Iowa on Sunday. She is listed as the 83rd recruit in the class of 2023 by ESPN.