\t\t\t\t\tOverview:<\/p>\n
Jackie Young, the three-time WNBA champion, celebrated her latest victory by working behind the counter at a Las Vegas Raising Cane’s. Known for her humility and relentless work ethic, Young has been an integral part of the Las Vegas Aces’ dynasty. Despite her success, including two Olympic gold medals and a Most Improved Player award, Young remains grounded and quiet. She credits the team’s success to the foundation built by owner Mark Davis and the state-of-the-art practice facility. Young hopes to inspire the next generation of female basketball players and wants to be an example for young girls to look up to.<\/p>\n
Las Vegas \u2014 Four days after helping the Las Vegas Aces capture their third WNBA
championship in four seasons, Jackie Young wasn\u2019t on the hardwood \u2014 she was behind a
Raising Cane\u2019s counter. On Tuesday, October 14, the three-time champion joined fans,
cameras, and media crews at a Las Vegas Cane\u2019s to celebrate the title in a way that perfectly fit
her quiet, grounded personality.<\/p>\n
It was part of Young\u2019s day of media responsibilities, including an appearance on Good Morning
America earlier that morning alongside teammates A\u2019ja Wilson, Chelsea Gray, and Jewell Loyd,
where they reflected on the Aces\u2019 dominant run and the growing visibility of women\u2019s basketball.
Hours later, she\u2019d swapped the broadcast lights for a headset and a smile. \u201cI\u2019m excited,\u201d she
said before taking her first order. \u201cHopefully they let me take some orders. We\u2019ll see.\u201d She
admitted Cane\u2019s has long been a personal favorite. \u201cAfter games, they stay open late, so it\u2019s like
my late-night go-to.\u201d<\/p>\n
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As she continues to lead, elevate, and represent what\u2019s possible in women\u2019s basketball, Young\u2019s focus remains on inspiring the next generation. Her legacy is already secure, built on grace, discipline, and quiet dominance. Photo Courtesy: Raising Cane\u2019s\t\t\t<\/p>\n
That easygoing energy is a glimpse into what\u2019s made Young such an integral part of the Aces\u2019
dynasty \u2014 a player defined by humility, consistency, and relentless work. Three championships
in four years, two Olympic gold medals, a Most Improved Player award, and a r\u00e9sum\u00e9 that
keeps growing \u2014 yet she carries it all with the same quiet confidence that\u2019s been with her since
day one. <\/p>\n
The Pride of Princeton<\/p>\n
Before she became the steady heartbeat of a dynasty, Jackie Young was just a small-town star
with a big dream. Growing up in Princeton, Indiana \u2014 population under 9,000 \u2014 she learned
early that work ethic travels farther than hype.<\/p>\n
At Princeton Community High School, she set the state\u2019s all-time scoring record with 3,268
points, leading her team to a 27\u20131 record and a Class 3A state championship as a senior. She
was named Indiana Miss Basketball in 2016 and became a McDonald\u2019s All-American,
cementing herself as one of the most decorated prep players in the state\u2019s history.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was hard growing up,\u201d Young said. \u201cBut I always told my family, \u2018I want to be a WNBA player.
I want to be able to help my family so we can make it out.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
At Notre Dame, Young\u2019s maturity stood out immediately. By her junior season, she was an
NCAA champion, helping the Irish win the 2018 national title with poise beyond her years. When
the Las Vegas Aces selected her No. 1 overall in the 2019 WNBA Draft, she joined a young
core built for the long haul \u2014 but the leap from college star to professional standout would take
time. <\/p>\n
\u201cPressure is a privilege. If I can be someone little girls look up to, that means we\u2019re
doing something right. <\/p>\n
Jackie young, 3-time wnba champion<\/p>\n
The Turning Point in Perth<\/p>\n
After Las Vegas\u2019 playoff exit in 2021, Young made a move that would change everything. She
signed with the Perth Lynx in Australia\u2019s WNBL \u2014 a decision born out of hunger, not comfort.<\/p>\n
\u201cPlaying in Australia was probably a turning point in my career,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019d wake up really
early, go box, lift, practice \u2014 that\u2019s where I spent most of my time. You don\u2019t talk to your family
as much, so you have a lot of time to just work on yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n
While she was overseas, Becky Hammon had just been hired as the Aces\u2019 new head coach.
Young recalls one of their first conversations vividly. \u201cBeck told me, \u2018I just need you to shoot
threes. Maybe make one a game \u2014 but if you don\u2019t attempt them, we\u2019ll never know.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
When she returned, Young worked with her trainer, Ty Clark, to refine her jumper. \u201cWe made a
few tweaks,\u201d she said. \u201cDidn\u2019t do a whole lot \u2014 just got a lot of reps in.\u201d<\/p>\n
By the 2022 season, she\u2019d broken through. Young won WNBA Most Improved Player, elevated
her scoring by nearly 50 percent, and helped deliver the first championship in franchise history.<\/p>\n
The Steady Hand of a Champion<\/p>\n
By 2025, Jackie Young was no longer the Aces\u2019 unsung glue piece \u2014 she was a pillar.
Averaging 16.4 points, 5 assists, and 4 rebounds, she was the connective tissue that kept Las
Vegas balanced through every stretch of turbulence.<\/p>\n
\u201cJust wanting to be great, honestly,\u201d she said. \u201cI\u2019ve put a lot of time in \u2014 in the gym, in the
offseason, during the season \u2014 just getting my body right, my confidence right, my mind right.<\/p>\n
The Aces needed all of it this year. After a sluggish start and a 53-point loss that made
headlines in June, they regrouped, rattled off 17 straight wins, and stormed back into
championship form. <\/p>\n
Every year we come into training camp knowing
we\u2019re prepping to win a championship.<\/p>\n
Jackie Young, 3-time wnba champion<\/p>\n
\u201cIt started off pretty rough,\u201d Young said. \u201cBut we trusted the process and clawed our way back
into it.\u201d<\/p>\n
In the Finals against the Phoenix Mercury, she set the tone early \u2014 dropping 21 points in the
second quarter of Game 2, a WNBA Finals record, before closing out the sweep days later.<\/p>\n
\u201cI just think I have the confidence to step up,\u201d she said. \u201cMy teammates and coaches really instill
a lot of confidence in me. It\u2019s special when coach draws it up at the end of the game and she
wants to go to me.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Culture That Built a Dynasty<\/p>\n
For Young, success doesn\u2019t exist in a vacuum. She\u2019s quick to credit the foundation the Aces
have built under owner Mark Davis, who\u2019s invested in the team\u2019s infrastructure at a level rarely
seen in women\u2019s sports.<\/p>\n
\u201cMark is great,\u201d she said. \u201cHe\u2019s the best owner in the league. He shows up for us and he\u2019s
invested in everything we do.\u201d<\/p>\n
That includes the Aces\u2019 state-of-the-art practice facility \u2014 the first of its kind in WNBA history.
\u201cHaving access to the facility at all times is a blessing,\u201d she said. \u201cWe have the best of the best
\u2014 training, treatment, two courts. Being able to come in whenever we want is huge.\u201d<\/p>\n
That kind of investment has created something larger than a winning team \u2014 it\u2019s built a
standard.<\/p>\n
\u201cAces basketball is the standard,\u201d Young said. \u201cEvery year we come into training camp knowing
we\u2019re prepping to win a championship.\u201d<\/p>\n
Beyond the WNBA: Gold and Glory<\/p>\n
Jackie Young\u2019s excellence extends well beyond the WNBA. In 2021, she was a last-minute
addition to the U.S. 3\u00d73 Olympic team, replacing Katie Lou Samuelson just before the Tokyo
Games. Despite joining days before competition, Young helped lead Team USA to the first-ever
3\u00d73 Olympic gold medal.<\/p>\n
Three years later, she was back on the Olympic stage \u2014 this time as part of the U.S. Women\u2019s
5\u00d75 team at the 2024 Paris Games \u2014 winning her second Olympic gold medal and solidifying
herself as one of the rare players to win gold in both formats.<\/p>\n
She now joins a small fraternity of athletes who\u2019ve won at every level: high school, college,
professional, and Olympic. And she\u2019s done it all without flash or self-promotion \u2014 just
production.<\/p>\n
More Than a Champion<\/p>\n
As Las Vegas celebrates another title, Young understands her growing influence \u2014 especially
for the next generation watching her journey.<\/p>\n
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<\/a>Young stands court-side before an arena of fans and spectators holding the trophy commemorating her most recent WNBA Championship win. Credit: Jackie Young via Instagram<\/p>\n