March 10 - Marion Jones (pictured) deserves a second chance despite having been stripped of five Olympic medals, including three gold for taking banned performance-enhancing drugs, it was claimed today after she signed a contract to play for Tulsa Shock in the Women's National Basketball Association (WBNA).


Jones, 34, was introduced at a news conference in Tulsa, as had been first revealed she would be on insidethegames yesterday.

Jones is hoping to launch a new career after a prison stint and being stripped of five Olympic medals she won at Sydney in 2000, including gold medals she won in the 100 and 200 metres and 4x400m, for using performance-enhancing drugs.

Shock President Steve Swetoha said: "She made some ill-advised decisions in the past, but everyone deserves a second chance to excel at something they love.

"The city of Tulsa gave a struggling franchise from Detroit a second chance, and I'm confident it will do the same for Marion.

"We couldn't be happier to have her on board."

The move also has been approved by the WNBA.

The Shock will play at the 18,000-seat BOK Center in Tulsa, with the season beginning in May.

A 5ft 10in, Jones attended the University of North Carolina on a basketball scholarship and helped lead the school to the 1994 NCAA.

She worked out for several WNBA teams before signing with Tulsa, which is coached by former University of Arkansas men’s coach Nolan Richardson.

Jones said: "I may not be your typical rookie in this league, but I’ll still bring that rookie energy.

"I’m looking forward to competing against the best female athletes in the world."

Jones did not play in the WNBA after being drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2003, the same year she lied to federal prosecutors about steroid use.

Four years later, she admitted using performance-enhancing drugs and was stripped of the medals.

Jones served six months in a federal prison in 2008 for lying about steroid use and her knowledge of a check-fraud scam involving her former boyfriend, sprinter Tim Montgomery.


Related stories
March 2010: Marion Jones to join Tulsa Shock
March 2010: Marion Jones tries out for Tulsa Shock
January 2010: David Owen - Can Marion Jones make the transition from drugs cheat to basketball star?
December 2009: British coach could oversee Jones basketball return
December 2009: Jones Sydney 100m gold medal to be left vacant