Marion Jones joins Women's NBA side Tulsa Shock

DISGRACED Olympic sprinter Marion Jones has signed for Women's NBA basketball team Tulsa Shock as a free agent and will be unveiled at a press conference later today.

CAREER CHANGE: Disgraced sprinter Marion Jones set to embark on a new basketball career in the Women's NBA (Getty Images)

Jones, 34, spent six months in prison in 2008 after lying to federal authorities about her steroid use and her involvement in a fraud case against former boyfriend Tim Montgomery.

But Jones, who was stripped of her five medals from the 2000 Sydney Olympics, set about training for the WNBA last year and has been snapped up by the Oklahoma-based outfit.

And despite her chequered past, Shock head coach Nolan Richardson is convinced Jones, who will play as a rookie free agent and earn approximately $35,000 in her first season, still has plenty to offer.

"We're thrilled to have her," Richardson told Tulsa World. "In the workouts last week I saw how hard she works. She has things you can't teach, like speed and great hand and eye coordination.

"I talked with the WNBA and they told me there was no stipulation whatsoever about her joining the league. She's stepping out and changing careers.

"She needed a place that fits and what better fit than here? I'm a no-nonsense coach. She understands that. I'm glad she came to me.

"Her age might be saying one thing but everything about her is saying she's young.

"She chose us because she knows my style of basketball. The only issue is how much time will she need to get her basketball body back.

Jones featured in the 1994 North Carolina NCAA national championship team and was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury in 2003 but never played in the WNBA.

"She will continue to grow back to the basketball world," added Richardson. "We'll work at getting her back to where she was as a young freshman in college.

"It's just a matter of getting into the gym and playing, and playing. She's my kind of player. She gets up and down the court."

Jones added: "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."