Jackie Young Bio
Jacquelyn Young, born on September 16, 1997, is an American professional basketball player recognized for her dynamic play as a shooting guard for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA. A standout at Princeton Community High School, she made a name for herself at Notre Dame, winning an NCAA championship in 2018. Young’s exceptional skills led her to be drafted first overall in the 2019 WNBA draft. She has since achieved remarkable success, including winning multiple WNBA championships and medals in international competitions. Her legacy continues to grow as she triumphs on both professional and Olympic stages.
Standing 6 feet tall and playing a versatile role on the wing, Young combines scoring efficiency with strong defensive instincts and reliable passing. She has expanded her résumé beyond the WNBA by competing in Unrivaled, the women’s three-on-three league, where she plays for the Laces. Across league play, postseason basketball, and international tournaments, she has built a reputation as a clutch performer and a cornerstone of the Aces dynasty.
Early Life and Background
Jacquelyn Young was born in Princeton, Indiana, to Linda Young and David Wayne Edwards Sr. She grew up alongside her brother, David Wayne Edwards Jr., who played defensive back for the University of Nebraska’s 1997 national championship team. Her father was a star high school basketball player and track athlete, and Young has been widely noted for inheriting much of her athletic ability from him.
At Princeton Community High School, Young became one of the most decorated players in Indiana history. She finished as the all-time leading scorer in Indiana high school basketball history with 3,268 points, breaking a 26-year-old record previously held by Damon Bailey. Across her career, she averaged 30.8 points, 10.3 rebounds, 5.5 assists, and 3.5 steals per game, while shooting strong percentages from the field, beyond the arc, and the free-throw line.
Young led Princeton to the 2015 Indiana Class 3A state championship, scoring 36 points in the title game and setting records for most points in a Class 3A final. As a junior, she set the Indiana high school girls’ basketball single-season scoring record with 1,003 points, and as a senior, she averaged 34.9 points per game. She was named the 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball and was ranked among the top prospects nationally.
Path to Basketball
Young played three seasons of college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish from 2016 to 2019. She earned ACC All-Freshman Team honors in 2017 and was named second-team All-ACC in 2019. That same year, she was recognized as the ACC tournament MVP, cementing her status as one of the top guards in the conference.
As a sophomore, Young helped Notre Dame capture the 2018 NCAA championship, reaching two NCAA finals during her time with the program. Her performances on the national stage drew the attention of WNBA scouts, and although she had the option to return for another college season, she declared for the 2019 WNBA draft. The Las Vegas Aces selected her with the first overall pick, launching her professional career.
Jackie Young Career
Early Career (2019–2020)
Young joined the Las Vegas Aces in 2019 under head coach Bill Laimbeer and transitioned from shooting guard to point guard as a rookie. She finished eighth in the WNBA with 153 total assists and posted a strong 2.89 assist-to-turnover ratio, while averaging 6.6 points and 3.3 rebounds per game. Her rookie performance earned her a spot on the WNBA All-Rookie Team, and she signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Puma.
In the 2020 WNBA season, Young expanded her role, averaging 10.1 points, 4.0 rebounds, and 3.0 assists across 40 games for the Aces. She also gained international experience, joining Turkish side Elazığ in February 2020 before the league was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Later that year, she signed with A.S. Ramat Hasharon in Israel for the 2020–21 season.
WNBA Breakthrough (2021–2022)
During the 2021 WNBA season, Young emerged as an early Most Improved Player candidate after shifting to a play-finisher role rather than a primary playmaker. She continued her development into the 2022 season, ultimately winning the WNBA Most Improved Player award. That same year, she was selected as a starter for her first WNBA All-Star game and helped the Aces capture the 2022 WNBA championship.
In August 2021, Young signed with the Perth Lynx of Australia’s WNBL for the 2021–22 season. Her scoring average climbed from around 10 points early in the year to more than 25 in her final six regular-season games, highlighted by consecutive 30-, 36-, and 26-point performances. She was named Perth Lynx season MVP and finished as runner-up for the overall league MVP, earning All-WNBL First Team honors.
Las Vegas Aces Era (2022–Present)
As of the end of the 2025 season, Young has won three WNBA championships with the Las Vegas Aces in 2022, 2023, and 2025, and has been selected to four consecutive WNBA All-Star teams from 2022 through 2025. She earned All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2023 and again in 2025, establishing herself as one of the league’s most consistent two-way wings.
In the 2025 WNBA Finals, Young set a WNBA record for the most points ever scored in a quarter during a Finals game, exploding for 21 points in the third quarter of Game 2. She also tied her playoff career high with 32 points in that contest, reinforcing her reputation for delivering in the biggest moments.
Playing Style and Strengths
Young excels as a versatile wing who can play on or off the ball, using her length and athleticism to finish at the rim, knock down perimeter shots, and defend multiple positions. Her shift to a play-finisher role unlocked a more aggressive scoring approach, while her passing vision remains a valuable asset in half-court sets. She thrives in transition and in high-leverage playoff games, where her efficiency and poise have made her a central piece of the Aces’ championship core.
Notable Events and Milestones
Young became the first overall pick in the 2019 WNBA draft and went on to capture three WNBA titles, a 2020 Olympic gold medal in 3×3 basketball, and a 2024 Olympic gold medal in 5×5 basketball with the United States. In 2025, she set the WNBA Finals single-quarter scoring record with 21 points, joining a short list of players who have authored defining Finals performances.
Jackie Young Career Wins
Across her professional career, Jackie Young has compiled a résumé highlighted by three WNBA championships, four WNBA All-Star selections, two All-WNBA Second Team honors, and a Most Improved Player award. She has also excelled internationally, capturing league MVP recognition in Australia and contributing to Olympic gold medals for the United States.
WNBA Highlights
Young’s WNBA résumé includes championships in 2022, 2023, and 2025, along with WNBA All-Star selections in each of those seasons and in 2024. Her first major individual recognition came with the 2022 WNBA Most Improved Player award, followed by All-WNBA Second Team selections in 2023 and 2025. She began her professional career by earning WNBA All-Rookie Team honors in 2019.
Other Wins and Performances
In the WNBL, Young starred for the Perth Lynx during the 2021–22 season, earning team MVP and All-WNBL First Team honors while finishing as league MVP runner-up. Internationally, she won gold in 3×3 basketball at the 2020 Summer Olympics and gold in 5×5 basketball at the 2024 Summer Olympics, defeating France 67–66 in the Paris final.
Jackie Young Family
Family Background and Basketball Lineage
Young is the daughter of Linda Young and David Wayne Edwards Sr. Her father was a standout high school basketball player and track athlete, and she has often been cited as inheriting her athletic gifts from him. Her brother, David Wayne Edwards Jr., played defensive back for the University of Nebraska’s 1997 national championship team, giving the family a deep sports pedigree.
Personal Life
Young grew up in Princeton, Indiana, and has remained closely tied to her hometown throughout her career. She continues to play for the Las Vegas Aces while also competing for the Laces in Unrivaled, the women’s three-on-three league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 WNBA season represented another championship peak for Jackie Young and the Las Vegas Aces, as the team captured its third title in four years. Young played a central role throughout the playoffs, delivering consistent scoring, defense, and playmaking on the wing. Her performance helped the Aces continue their dynasty under head coach Becky Hammon.
Young’s defining moment came during the 2025 WNBA Finals, when she erupted for 21 points in the third quarter of Game 2, setting a WNBA record for the most points ever scored in a quarter of a Finals game. She finished that contest with 32 points, tying her playoff career high, and earned All-WNBA Second Team honors for the second time in her career.
Looking ahead, Young remains a foundational piece of the Aces’ roster and a core member of USA Basketball’s national team program. With multiple championships, Olympic gold medals, and All-Star selections already on her ledger, she enters the next chapter of her career as one of the most accomplished wings in the women’s game.