Scranton’s Chrissy Jacklinski shoots during the Lynett Tournament championship game at the Lackawanna College Student Union in Scranton on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Scranton’s Chrissy Jacklinski moves the ball during the basketball game against North Pocono at Scranton High School on Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Scranton’s Chrissy Jacklinski takes a foul shot during the basketball game at Scranton High School on Monday, Jan. 05, 2026. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
Chrissy Jacklinski, Scranton
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Scranton’s Chrissy Jacklinski shoots during the Lynett Tournament championship game at the Lackawanna College Student Union in Scranton on Monday, Dec. 29, 2025. (REBECCA PARTICKA/STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER)
A meniscus injury ended Chrissy Jacklinski’s summer basketball season. That means no more chances to showcase her skills to colleges.
So she decided to go with one of the options she already had.
On Monday, the Scranton High School rising senior announced her commitment to continue her academic and basketball careers at Lafayette College.
“Now that I’m not going to be playing anymore, I’m probably not going to get as much exposure,” Jacklinski said. “Especially with how scholarships are given out. If other people commit, I wouldn’t have a scholarship anymore and be able to go there. I didn’t want to lose that chance.”
Jacklinski picked Lafayette over The College of Holy Cross, which were her top two choices. She also had offers from the University of New Hampshire and Sacramento State.
Choosing Lafayette means she will play for Ben O’Brien, the former Dunmore High School and University of Scranton coach who took over the Lady Leopards in April after leading the Lady Royals to the NCAA Division III championship game one month earlier.
“I visited both and I just loved Lafayette so much more and felt so much more comfortable on campus,” Jacklinski said. “All the coaches were amazing, especially coach O’Brien. I know a lot of people that played for him and just heard great things about him. So I’m excited to play for him, as well. It’s also only like an hour away from my house — 50 minutes, I drive fast. So that’s one thing I also was looking for, a school not too, too far from home.”
Making her decision now takes a lot off Jacklinski’s mind.
“It’s been stressful for the past two or three years, worrying about where am I going to go to college,” Jacklinski said. “Now, it’s such a big relief. I don’t have to worry about it anymore. It’s just going to be really fun my last high school season. I can enjoy it without any stress.”
Her meniscus injury shouldn’t be an issue.
She said she plans to have surgery in the very near future and plans to be back no later than October, but hopes for August or September.
“It happened a couple weeks ago in AAU. I jumped kind of weird,” Jacklinski said. “They won’t know how bad it is until they go in. It could be a quick recovery, I can just walk right out of the surgery. I’m praying that’s what happens.”
At Lafayette, Jacklinski plans to major in economics.
“I love math. It’s always been my favorite subject,” she said.
Big numbers are certainly something Jacklinski puts up on the basketball court.
This season, the three-time Times-Tribune All-Region selection averaged 18.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.9 assists with 59 3-pointers and a free-throw percentage of 72.9 (70 for 96) as Scranton finished runner-up in District 2 Class 6A. She scored her 1,000th career point Feb. 2 against West Scranton and was Most Valuable Player of the 22nd Lynett Memorial Girls Tournament after helping the Lady Knights win the title.
While looking forward to her senior season at Scranton, Jacklinski also has her eye on the future to prepare for college.
“I talked to some of the girls on the Lafayette team and they said the biggest difference from high school to college is size and strength,” Jacklinski said. “So I’m just going to try to get stronger and get in the gym almost every day. That’s one thing I’m definitely focusing on.
“Winning a Patriot League championship would be awesome.”
Jacklinski is the second player from District 2 to commit to Lafayette in the last few days. Charlie Hiller of Crestwood announced her commitment to the Easton school June 26.