From the writeup in the Houston Comical, it sounds like she's OK with that and thinks it'll work out well for her. The Comets tried to get her (and don't I wish they could have!) but Phoenix was not gonna let her go cheap.

So while the ESPN and other media dopes wouldn't recognize talent if it bit 'em in the rump (too busy brown-nosing the BC$-league name-brand teams, I guess) it looks like the actual COACHES and team higher-ups know a good thing when they see one.

Here are some excerpts along with the URL for those who want to read the whole thing.

'Trade takes Jones to Shock' by Jerry Wizig Wrote:<span style='font-size:11pt;line-height:100%'>Trade takes Jones to Shock</span>

Comets land Big 12 products Villarroel, Stephens in draft
By JERRY WIZIG
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

Chandi Jones was allowed the luxury of thinking about playing in the same backcourt with Diana Taurasi for just a few minutes Saturday. Then Jones was traded.

That's life in professional basketball.

Jones, the best player in the history of the Houston Lady Cougars program, was taken by Phoenix with the eighth pick in the first round of the WNBA draft and traded to defending champion Detroit about 15 minutes later.

"They play my style -- up and down the court," Jones said, "and I think it's going to work out great. I love (Detroit) coach (Bill) Laimbeer already. They didn't tell me they were going to trade for me."

The Shock sent Shereka Wright of Purdue, whom they took with the final pick of the first round, second-round choice Erika Valek of Purdue and current roster player Sheila Lambert of Baylor to Phoenix for Jones.

[snip]

Jones, who attended the draft in Secaucus, N.J., said she had yet to hear details of Detroit's plans for her. But the 5-11 player from Bay City could challenge for a starting spot at guard or small forward.

"I just got a lot worse as a coach, and Bill Laimbeer got a lot better," UH coach Joe Curl said. "I'm so proud of Chandi and for what she meant for our program, to have a top-10 draft pick in the best women's pro league in the world."

[snip]

Without a first-round pick and a squeezed roster and salary cap, there was no chance the Comets could work a deal for Jones.

"They were asking for Tina (Thompson) or Sheryl (Swoopes) or Michelle Snow," coach Van Chancellor said....

<a href='http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/sports/2513655' target='_blank'>http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/s.../sports/2513655</a>

Quote:"I just got a lot worse as a coach, and Bill Laimbeer got a lot better," UH coach Joe Curl said. "I'm so proud of Chandi and for what she meant for our program, to have a top-10 draft pick in the best women's pro league in the world."

If you look at Curl's record before Chandi, that is so true. I do believe that he has used Chandi's being here to secure at least 2-3 more competive seasons. I think we should be tournament material against next year with Lyttle and co...