College

McCarthy played for UIC from 1992 to 1997. She was a two-time First-Team All-Midwestern Collegiate Conference (MCC, now Horizon League) selection and 1996 MCC Player of the Year.^[12] For the 1996–97 season she was the preseason MCC Player of the Year selection.^[11] During her career at UIC, she played with her younger sister, Amy.^[11] She and Amy formed the starting backcourt in Joanne's final season.^[3] In some statistics, they were first and second on the team.^[13] While at UIC, she majored in psychology.^[11]

She had set several records for the University of Illinois-Chicago including career scoring (1,805 points), career assists (430) and career Three-point field goal percentage (.385) by the time her career ended in 1997.^[14][3] In 2001, her number 21 jersey was retired by UIC, the schools first such honor for a female basketball player.^[12] She surpassed Penny Armstrong's career point total of 1,657.^[11] With over 70 consecutive starts, she also set the school's iron woman record.^[15] Other school records that McCarthy retired with include career three-point field goals made (238), career free throws made (463), single-season three point shots made (76), career free throw percentage (81.4%), career games played (115), career games started (111), and single-season games played/started (31). As of 2023, McCarthy continues to hold the school records for career points, career free throws made, career three-point field goals made, and single-season three-point field goals made.^[16] Her 5th-year senior season 142–169 (84.0%) free throw shooting percentage performance, led the MCC.^[17] There were press announcements well in advance when Jenny was going to attend one of her games.^[18]

During McCarthy's time at UIC, the team had mediocre results: with a cumulative record of 67–74 (40–40 in conference play) and finishes of 5th, 5th, 3rd, 4th and 6th. The team failed to make the NCAA Division I women's basketball tournament or the finals of the Horizon League women's basketball tournament during her time at the school.^[16]

Professional

Following graduation in 1997, McCarthy had unsuccessful tryouts in the WNBA. Then, she spent a year as a basketball operations intern for the Flames' basketball team.^[3] She was later drafted with the first pick of the fifth round of the 1998 American Basketball League draft by the Chicago Condors.^[19][20] McCarthy was a late addition to the Condors opening night inaugural roster when Katrina McClain decided that she would not join the Condors team that she had been assigned to following the disbanding of the Atlanta Glory. Joining the Condors meant McCarthy could play professionally in the same home arena (UIC Pavilion, now known as the Credit Union 1 Arena) that she did in college.^[21] During the 1998–99 season, she played in six games for the Condors,^[22][1] where she was coached by Jim Cleamons.^[3] Initially, she had joined the team as a "salaried replacement player if anyone is injured".^[23] When the league folded, she tried out for the Los Angeles Sparks and Utah Starzz.^[24]

College statistics

Source^{[26][27][28][29][30][31]}