SRPMIC members Angelina Montoya and Nyese Jones continue their careers at Park University.

Following an exceptional basketball career at Westwood High School, Scottsdale Community College and South Mountain Community College, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community member Nyese Jones is now taking her talent to Park University in Gilbert.

She’ll be joined by a familiar teammate. 

Community member Angelina Montoya is also headed to Park University. Both have played side by side for years and will continue to do so as they enter this new journey.

Jones and Montoya have been sharing the spotlight on the basketball court since 2018 at Westwood High in Mesa. Together, they pushed each other to play better and, with shared motivation, had exceptional high school careers. 

“We have been playing basketball together since 2018,” Jones said. One memory that stands out to her is “when I scored 1,000 points and she (Montoya) was jumping around before the shot went in.”

Most recently, Jones and Montoya played together at Scottsdale Community College. Jones also played at South Mountain Community College in Phoenix. 

“Our chemistry on the court is unspoken connection, anticipating each other’s moves. We have each other’s back, celebrating wins and pushing through rough losses together,” Jones said.

After a long history of basketball, both are finally back on the court as a dynamic duo, with their season set to start later this year. 

“I’m most looking forward to pushing my limits, learning and growing from challenges in this new chapter,” she added.