Jackie Young was born on September 16, 1997, in Princeton, Indiana, to Linda Young, a single mother who raised Jackie and her two siblings amidst financial challenges.
Growing up in a modest household, Jackie found solace and passion in basketball, a sport that would eventually propel her to national and international recognition.
Known for her quiet demeanor off the court and fierce competitiveness on it, she earned the nickname “The SilentAssassin” for her ability to let her game do the talking.
Jackie’s early years were shaped by a tight-knit family that included her mother, extended relatives like aunts and uncles, and, of course, her siblings.
Basketball became a unifying force for the Young family, with Jackie’s talent shining brightest as she broke records in high school and went on to excel at Notre Dame before entering the WNBA.
Siblings
Jackie is the middle child of three siblings, flanked by an older brother, Terrence Young, and a younger sister, Kiare Young.
Basketball runs deep in the family, with both Terrence and Kiare also taking to the hardwood, inspired in part by Jackie’s dedication and success.
Terrence pursued basketball, though details about his career remain less publicized compared to his sister’s.
The youngest of the trio, Kiare has followed in her older sister’s footsteps by playing basketball as well.
Jackie has a particularly close relationship with Kiare, often referring to her as her “lil baby, best friend & fave workout partner” in a heartfelt 2021 Instagram birthday tribute.
Career
Jackie’s journey began at Princeton Community High School, where she became Indiana’s all-time leading scorer (boys or girls) with 3,268 points, surpassing a record set by Damon Bailey.
She led her team to a 2015 Class 3A state championship, scoring 36 points in the title game—a record for the most points in a Class 3A final.
Her senior year stats were staggering: 34.9 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.0 assists, and 3.8 steals per game, earning her national recognition as a top recruit.
Young took her talents to the University of Notre Dame, where she played three seasons (2016–2019).
Also Read: Megan Gustafson Siblings: Get to Know Emily Gustafson
As a sophomore in 2018, she helped the Fighting Irish win the NCAA Championship, contributing a game-tying jumper and a crucial steal in the final moments of the title game against Mississippi State.
She earned ACC Tournament MVP honors in 2019, averaging 16.3 points and 8.3 rebounds during the NCAA Tournament.
Opting to forgo her senior year, Jackie entered the 2019 WNBA Draft and was selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Las Vegas Aces.
In the WNBA, Jackie transitioned from shooting guard to point guard in her rookie season, earning a spot on the All-Rookie Team with 6.6 points and 4.5 assists per game.
Her growth has been remarkable since then. By 2022, she was named the WNBA Most Improved Player, averaging 15.9 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.4 steals per game, while leading the Aces to their first championship.
She repeated the feat in 2023, securing back-to-back titles. In 2024, she averaged 15.8 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 5.3 assists, solidifying her status as a key player for the Aces and a three-time All-Star (2022–2024).
Beyond the WNBA, Jackie has competed internationally, winning gold medals in 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and in 5×5 at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Accolades
Jackie’s trophy case is a reflection of her dominance at every level of the game.
In high school, she was Indiana’s all-time leading scorer with 3,268 points, won the 2015 Class 3A State Championship, and set a single-season scoring record of 1,003 points as a junior.
At the college level with Notre Dame, she claimed the 2018 NCAA Championship, earned 2019 ACC Tournament MVP honors, was named to the 2017 ACC All-Freshman Team, and secured a spot on the 2019 Second-Team All-ACC.
In the WNBA, her accolades include two championships with the Las Vegas Aces (2022, 2023), three All-Star selections (2022–2024), the 2022 Most Improved Player award, a 2019 All-Rookie Team nod, and the 2022 Commissioner’s Cup victory.
Internationally, she has won Olympic gold medals in 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Tokyo Games and in 5×5 at the 2024 Paris Games.
Beyond her on-court achievements, Jackie signed a multi-year deal with Puma and was named the 2021–22 Perth Lynx MVP in Australia’s WNBL.