NEW YORK — How did we overlook Jonquel Jones for so long?

In a nail-biting 67-62 overtime victory against the Minnesota Lynx in Game 5 of the WNBA Finals, it was Jones — often the unsung MVP — who ensured the Liberty remained competitive when their star trio struggled to score.

A formidable player with impressive shooting skills both near and far from the basket, Jones netted 17 points on Sunday, maintaining a shooting efficiency of 50%.

Nicknamed a “super team,” the Liberty features a roster filled with stars acquired through trades and free agency, all with the aim of clinching a championship. The cornerstones of this super team were expected to be Jones, Sabrina Ionescu, and Breanna Stewart.

The Liberty drafted Ionescu as the first pick in 2020, followed by Jones’ acquisition through a trade. Stewart, the final and perhaps most sought-after addition, joined the team in 2023. However, despite their prominence, Jones is often overshadowed by Stewart and Ionescu in the media and on the court.

Jones transitioned to New York after six successful years with the Connecticut Sun, where she competed for two championships but fell short to the Washington Mystics in 2019 and Las Vegas in 2022.

Her basketball journey began when she left the Bahamas at the age of 13 to pursue her dreams. Now at 30, she felt a wave of emotion as the game concluded and faced another rush of feelings when she was named the 2024 Finals MVP, having averaged 17.8 points, 7.6 rebounds, and 2.2 assists, with a shooting percentage of 56% throughout the series.

As the confetti cascaded from above, Jones and Stewart embraced tightly, with Jones admitting she was “sobbing in (Stewart’s) ear” without uttering a word.

She expressed her overwhelming joy, sharing, “We discussed (winning a title) constantly; it was our vision.”

During the trophy ceremony, Jones once again became emotional, stating, “I could never have imagined this. You all are aware of how many times I’ve faced disappointment, but I was just delayed.”

Winning alongside Stewart held special significance for Jones.

“I have admired Stewie’s greatness for years, through high school, college, and now in the WNBA. For a long time, I aspired to elevate my game to her level,” Jones noted.

However, Jones wasn’t the only player whose contributions were often overlooked in the Finals.

When Nyara Sabally, a native of Germany who played at Oregon, was chosen fifth by the Liberty in 2022, the team recognized the risks involved. Sabally’s college career was marked by injuries, causing her to miss her rookie season for knee rehabilitation.

Over the past two seasons, she has played limited minutes and, in the semifinal round against Las Vegas this postseason, she only appeared for a total of 15 minutes, remaining on the bench during two of the four games. However, she played a vital role in the Finals, especially in the second half of Game 5.

At halftime, with the Liberty trailing 34-27, Coach Sandy Brondello instructed Sabally to be prepared for a possible big lineup.

When Sabally entered the game, she energized the team, scoring nine points in just 10 minutes during the latter half. Her layup with 3:07 remaining provided New York its first lead, and her steal and layup in overtime were crucial as well.

“Her capacity for one-on-one plays, rebounding, excelling defensively, and finishing plays,” explained Brondello on Sabally’s impact. “I’m truly proud of her. She has faced significant challenges, but in the biggest game of her career, she really stepped up. For someone her age, that speaks volumes. The future looks promising.”

Stewart labeled Sabally as “the X-factor.”

“We were exhausted,” Stewart remarked. “We needed a spark, and she provided that … we are immensely proud of Ny.”

Both Jones and Sabally traveled unique, nontraditional paths to achieve their WNBA championship. When asked how to inspire more Bahamian players — the next potential Jonquel Jones — to reach the WNBA, Brondello proposed a distinctive idea.

“How about we host a victory parade in the Bahamas?” Brondello suggested. “Let’s make it happen!”

If the Liberty are going global with their celebration, they might also want to consider a victory parade in Germany.

As Brondello highlighted, the future is bright, not only for these two emerging stars but for the league as a whole. Their standout performances on such a significant occasion will encourage many young girls in their home countries to aspire to follow in their footsteps.