Mohegan — There’s almost no chance anyone will have a better summer vacation than Jonquel Jones.

The Connecticut Sun were given the first 10 days of the Olympic break off, so Jones returned home to the Bahamas for the first time in over a year. She was greeted at Grand Bahama International Airport by hundreds of family and friends, junkaroo dancers, and a motorcade home to Holmes Rock, among other celebrity perks.

Jones is kind of a big deal.

“Only in the Bahamas; only in the 242,” Jones laughed. “It was fun, though. It was a blessing.”

Jones’ red-carpet treatment has ended. She’s returned to the states — and anonymity — as she took part in the Connecticut's first post-vacation practice on Tuesday.

“Hey, it’s OK,” Jones said. “I’m a low-key type of person. I prefer the non-recognition when it comes to walking around and stuff, but it’s OK. The Bahaman people showed love and I’m happy to give it back in return.”

Jones will lose anonymity around the region and the WNBA if she plays as she did in the Sun's final game before the break. The 6-foot-6 rookie post had to play more minutes when Chiney Ogwumike got into foul trouble and thrived. She scored a career-high 20 with a game-high 10 rebounds, three steals and three blocks in a 94-89 win at the Chicago Sky on July 22.

Oddly enough, Jones and Ogwumike switched roles that game. Jones had started at center since the Sun traded Kelsey Bone on June 25, and Ogwumike was the sixth woman who provided energy. One of the reasons for the change was because Jones felt more comfortable with the reserves.

“She connected with that second unit and felt like there was a lot of camaraderie,” Sun head coach Curt Miller said. “There was a lot of sharing, a lot of helping out, whereas that veteran group, at times, could be a little quiet. ... There's a real comfort for her, it takes some pressure off of her, more than I realized until my heart-to-heart conversation with her.

“And then, ironically, Jonquel has her best game ever in her pro career coming off the bench.”

Jones has averaged 12.8 minutes and 5.7 points in 24 games.

“It’s been good,” Jones said about transitioning from college to the pros. “The first half (of the season) was difficult. I was adjusting to the physicality of it. A lot of people have been taking time out to talk to me and to make sure that I understand what’s going on.

“Sometimes, when you have rookies, you kind of forget that they’re still learning, just the same way we were in college as a senior (at George Washington). I forgot how it felt to be a freshman. I would get on them sometimes and not realize that they’re still learning. I think the team has done a good job of recognizing that now, just talking to us as youngsters in the league and helping us out.”

Jones’ showing against Chicago was what the Sun envisioned when they acquired her the night of the WNBA Draft (April 14). She was drafted sixth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks and traded, along with the 17th overall pick, for second-year point guard Chelsea Gray, the draft’s 15th and 23rd picks, and next year’s first-round pick.

Jones was the draft’s most intriguing player because of her unique skills. She can rebound and block like a center. She also can shoot from the perimeter like a wing as she was a guard when she first played basketball before her growth spurt.

“She’s impacted us around the rim, she alters shots, she blocks shots, and she’s a good defensive rebounder,” Miller said. “Where the surface hasn’t even been scratched is that she’s so talented offensively away from the basket. She’s shooting a low percentage from the 3-point line (20-percent) and been inconsistent on the outside. She’s been good around the basket.

“When it all clicks and she starts to get more and more comfortable with her skill set away from the basket, it just opens up another dynamic for our offense. It’s only a matter of time because she’s so skilled on the perimeter.”

• The Sun will host a special game night on Aug. 30 to raise awareness of heart disease and stroke, and share opportunities to get involved locally in the mission of the American Heart Association. There will be special discount tickets available for $22 with $6 going back to the American Heart Association’s Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk. To purchase tickets, visit http://bit.ly/28KdoGI and use special offer code: AHA. The 2016 Eastern Connecticut Heart Walk (formerly known as the Rocky Neck Heart Walk) will take place on Sept. 25th at the reservation. Festivities start at 9 a.m., and the walk begins at 10 a.m.

n.griffen@theday.com