Love and Basketball

Among the contingent of fans sitting courtside for each USA game at the FIBA Women's World Championship in China, Roland Jones watches with pride as fianc�e DeLisha Milton battles in the post against the elite players of the world.

Milton won gold at the 2000 Olympics and 1998 World Championship. Nathaniel S. Butler WNBAE/Getty Images

It won't be long until Milton returns the favor and takes on a similar role rooting for Jones. The two, who have not yet set a wedding date, will travel together to Ekaterinburg, Russia, in early October to spend eight months playing in Russia's top pro league.

"I'm really looking forward to it," said Jones. "After all these years of me watching DeLisha play, she finally gets to watch me play and critique my game. To have the person with me who I consider my best friend will be tremendous, and being in a situation like that will really help our relationship grow stronger."

Jones has logged major miles in support of Milton since the two began dating in 1999, working around his own playing schedule to be in attendance at her games with the Los Angeles Sparks and the U.S. National Team. During summers, he even relocates to L.A. so the two can be together during the WNBA season, staying in shape by playing in the Los Angeles Summer Pro League with the Magic Johnson All-Stars.

Since graduating from the University of Texas in 1995, Jones has played professionally in Germany, Estonia, the Czech Republic and Venezuela, and he has also spent time playing in the ABA and CBA. But to this point in the relationship, Milton's hectic basketball schedule -- including her own overseas career during the winter -- has denied her a chance to similarly take part in Jones' basketball pursuits.

That will change in Russia, when the two will have an opportunity to pursue their basketball careers simultaneously. It will also be a rare chance for Milton to sit in the stands to watch Jones on the court.

"Roland's been a tremendous asset to my life and to my basketball career," said Milton. "He's my coach away from the court. With the two of us being in Russia together, I'll be able to give back some of what he's given to me. I really hope things go well for both of us, and I'm just glad I finally get to return the favor after all the support he's given to me."

The cold Ekaterinburg winter will take some getting used to for Jones, a Dallas native, and Milton, who hails from Riceboro, Ga., and graduated from the University of Florida. But their months in Russia should provide warm memories of a long-awaited opportunity to fulfill their basketball dreams together.