Rise to Success: Career Highlights of Jackie Young

Discover the career path of Jackie Young, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Jacquelyn "Jackie" Young is an American professional basketball player currently playing for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. Drafted first overall in 2019, Young had a successful college career at Notre Dame, including an NCAA championship win in 2018. Her professional career has been marked by significant achievements. She also earned a gold medal in Women's 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and a WNBA championship in 2022. More recently, in 2024, she won another gold medal in 5x5 basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

1980: State Title Record

In 2015, Jackie Young scored 36 points in the state title game, setting the record for most points in a Class 3A final, as well as the most points by one player in any Indiana girls' basketball state title game since 1980.

2015: Indiana Class 3A State Championship

In 2015, Jackie Young led Princeton Community High School to 53 consecutive wins and the Indiana Class 3A state championship, scoring 36 points in the title game.

2016: College Basketball

In 2016, Jackie Young started playing college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.

2016: Indiana Miss Basketball Award

In 2016, Jackie Young was the recipient of the Indiana Miss Basketball award.

2017: ACC All-Freshman Team

In 2017, Jackie Young earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors.

2018: NCAA championship

In 2018, Jackie Young won an NCAA championship as a sophomore.

2019: All-ACC and ACC tournament MVP

In 2019, Jackie Young earned second-team All-ACC and ACC tournament MVP.

2019: WNBA Draft and Puma Deal

In 2019, Jackie Young entered the WNBA draft and was selected first overall by the Las Vegas Aces. She also signed a multi-year deal with Puma and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.

2019: Drafted into WNBA

In 2019, Jackie Young was drafted first overall by the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA draft.

February 2020: Joins Turkish Side Elazığ

In February 2020, Jackie Young joined Turkish side Elazığ, but her time there lasted only two games due to the coronavirus-induced cancellation of the league.

2020: 2020 WNBA Season

During the 2020 WNBA season, Jackie Young averaged 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists in 40 games with the Aces.

2020: Summer Olympics Gold Medal

In 2020, Jackie Young won a gold medal in Women's 3x3 basketball at the Summer Olympics.

July 2021: Olympic Gold Medal

In July 2021, Jackie Young won a gold medal in Women's 3x3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics.

August 3, 2021: Signs with Perth Lynx

On August 3, 2021, Jackie Young signed with the Perth Lynx in Australia for the 2021–22 WNBL season.

2021: Most Improved Player Candidate

In the 2021 WNBA season, Jackie Young emerged as an early candidate for Most Improved Player, but lost out to Brionna Jones, as the Dallas Aces went out at the semi-final stage of the 2021 WNBA Playoffs.

2022: WNBA All-Star and Most Improved Player

In 2022, Jackie Young was selected as the WNBA's Most Improved Player and was named to her first WNBA All-Star team, also winning the WNBA championship.

2022: WNBA Championship

In 2022, Jackie Young won a national WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces.

June 2024: Named to Olympic team

In June 2024, Jackie Young was named to the US women's Olympic team to compete at the 2024 Summer Olympics in France alongside fellow Aces teammates, Chelsea Gray, Kelsey Plum, and A'ja Wilson.

July 18, 2024: Joins Unrivaled league

On July 18, 2024, it was announced that Jackie Young would appear and play in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women's 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She plays for the Laces.