Haley Jones got caught up in the moment, and understandably so. The 21-year-old basketball player was selected by the Atlanta Dream during the 2023 WNBA Draft night in New York City. Upon hearing her name being called out, Jones hugged her family and stepped onto the stage – except she left her cell phone behind.
COACH! i left my phone at the draft table!!!! i called you back! #phonetag
— haley jones (@haleyjoness19) April 11, 2023
Haley Jones got caught up in the moment, and understandably so. The 21-year-old basketball player was selected by the Atlanta Dream during the 2023 WNBA Draft night in New York City. Upon hearing her name being called out, Jones hugged her family and stepped onto the stage – except she left her cell phone behind.
Head coach Tanisha Wright tried calling her to congratulate the team’s newest addition. When Jones didn’t pick up, she reached out to her on Twitter.
“Hey Girl!! Just trying to reach ya to congratulate ya on coming to the A!” Wright tweeted before adding the hashtag #PickUpYourPhone.
Hey Girl!! Just trying to reach ya to congratulate ya on coming to the A! #PickUpYourPhone @haleyjoness19
— Coach Tanisha Wright (@coachtwright_) April 11, 2023
Jones was participating in a press conference when she was told what had happened. She laughed and covered her face in embarrassment upon hearing the news, according to Insider.
“Oh! So sorry, Coach! Goodness,” Jones said. “Well, Coach, if you’re listening or if you’re going to see this interview, I’m so sorry. I literally got called, didn’t even think to grab my phone. I hugged my mom and dad, my brother. So when I get to my phone, I will call her back immediately.”
“That is like the worst first impression to have is missing a call from your new boss,” Jones said. “The second I get to my phone, no matter how many missed calls I have, missed texts, [I’m] calling her immediately.”
Jones tweeted back at her coach, while Wright said she would make an exception.
We will make an exception today @haleyjoness19 https://t.co/4jWTuM14OI
— Coach Tanisha Wright (@coachtwright_) April 11, 2023
Jones and her coach later connected on a video call, according to The Athletic.
“I tried to really focus on letting the day come to me and taking everything in as it came,” Jones said after the call. “I didn’t want to have expectations for what was going to happen.”
The 21-year-old couldn’t contain her excitement at the news of her joining the Atlanta Dream.
“It’s everything I could have dreamed of,” she said. “And more.”
Congratulations, Haley Jones!
