Latest news with #JackieYoung
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Back home again in Indiana: Jackie Young, Skylar Diggins have 'full circle' moment as WNBA All-Stars
INDIANAPOLIS – Seattle Storm point guard Skylar Diggins called it a full-circle moment. The same could be said for Las Vegas Aces point guard Jackie Young. Diggins led South Bend Washington to an IHSAA Class 3A state championship as a sophomore in 2007, finished her four-year career third on the state's all-time scoring list (2,790) and won IndyStar Miss Basketball in 2009. Young, a Princeton Community alum and the 2016 IndyStar Miss Basketball, holds the state's all-time scoring record (3,268) and guided the Tigers to 53 consecutive wins and the 2015 Class 3A state championship. Two Indiana basketball legends are back in their home state as 2025 WNBA All-Stars. In 49 other states it's just basketball, but this is Indiana, as the saying goes. And it really doesn't get much more Indiana than this. "It's pretty special, us both being from Indiana, having this moment here, having this opportunity," said Young. "Being an all-star in Indiana, being from Indiana, is super special. I've just been taking it all in this weekend, having a lot of fun experiencing it with my friends and family — and I'm excited to play, too." "I've spent a lot of time here in Indianapolis and I've already seen a lot of familiar faces," added Diggins, whose family from South Bend will be among those making the trip for Saturday's game. "My kids are excited to be here and what better place to host it than Indiana?" For Diggins, having her children in attendance has made this year's event even more memorable. The seven-time WNBA All-Star quipped instead of telling them how it was "back in her day," they'll be able to experience it first hand. "That's a big deal." "I don't take it for granted," Diggins later added. "It's amazing." As for the return to Indiana — specifically the massive photos of her (and the other WNBA All-Stars) located around town — Diggins expected nothing less. "I guess I didn't know any better," Diggins said of the uniqueness of Indiana basketball. "This is Indiana. It's basketball. Hoosier Hysteria is real," she smiled. "From the moment you can stand up, they put a ball in your hands, but it's around, inside, outside, 3-on-3, 5-on-5. I always grew up playing the game. It's the most accessible sport. … It's a culture that comes with the game of basketball in Indiana. Being here and being from here, the love of basketball is still with me to this day." Young has never strayed far from her small-town roots and her trip to Indiana included a return to Princeton — as most usually do. She visited the recently opened Princeton YMCA (located inside her old elementary school) on Thursday, where she hosted a youth basketball camp and was honored with a mural recognizing her careers at Princeton High, Notre Dame and Las Vegas. "That's a small town, so we never would have thought a YMCA would actually open. And having a mural there in the gym is pretty special," Young said. "I spent a lot of time growing up in Princeton, playing basketball in Princeton. I'm just happy for the younger generation that they'll have more opportunities than I had growing up." Young's appearance at Princeton came a few hours after she announced a new partnership with Skechers. oung said it was important for her to work with a brand that allows her to "stay true to herself." To that end, they gave out shoes to the Tigers' middle school and high school girls basketball teams as part of the day's festivities. (Young promised she'll hook up the boys team, too.) "They allow me to do things that I want to do and that's giving back to my community (and) the little girls growing up," Young said. "When I was a young girl, that's what I wanted, so to be in this position and to be able to give back to my community is special," she continued. "I always try to do that anytime I'm home — go to games, go to practices, whatever it is. Being that role model in my community (and) giving back to the younger generations, it's super important." Get IndyStar's Indiana Fever and Caitlin Clark coverage sent directly to your inbox with our . This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indiana Miss Basketball winners Skylar Diggins, Jackie Young home for WNBA All-Star game
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
WNBA All-Star Jackie Young returned home to Princeton, Ind., to see new mural of her
2016 Indiana Miss Basketball Jackie Young on her trip back to Princeton, Ind., where she hosted a youth camp — and they unveiled a mural of her.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Aces' Jackie Young latest to ink shoe deal after linking up with Skechers
The post Aces' Jackie Young latest to ink shoe deal after linking up with Skechers appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Las Vegas Aces are currently fourth in the WNBA's Western Conference, hoping to replicate their success from recent seasons and put their name in the hat during another playoffs. With reigning MVP A'ja Wilson leading the helm, starting guard Jackie Young will join her at 2025 WNBA All-Star Weekend as a reserve. Young also made headlines recently after signing a signature sneaker deal with sponsor Skechers, a massive step in the career of a budding star. Check our Sneakers news for more upcoming releases and breaking content! Jackie Young becomes the latest in a growing crop of league talent to sign an endorsement deal with a major footwear brand. With the growing popularity of the WNBA at an all-time high, the door has opened for more players to make their money off the court with brand partnerships and sponsor deals. Young signed a multi-year shoe deal and celebrated the occasion by giving out Skechers sneakers at a skills clinic for youth girls' teams in her hometown of Princeton, Indiana. Aces' Jackie Young signs with Skechers Jackie Young had the opportunity to return back home to Indiana as she preps for her fourth-consecutive WNBA All-Star appearance from Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis. Offering such a consistent presence on one of the best teams in the league, Young is more than deserving of this honor and it's only right that she's gotten a shoe deal as a result. She'll join NBA stars like 76ers' Joel Embiid and Timberwolves' Julius Randle, along with fellow WNBA talent in Sparks' Rickea Jackson and Mystics' Kiki Iriafen. Related: Nike KD 18 'Halloween' revealed for October 2025 Related: Air Jordan 5 'White Metallic' rumored for Summer 2026
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
WNBA star, Notre Dame alum Jackie Young gets a mural of her unveiled at elementary school
Former Notre Dame women's basketball player Jackie Young is taking part in WNBA All-Star festivities all weekend long in Indianapolis, as she was selected for having a strong season with the Las Vegas Aces. The 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball at Princeton Community High hosted a youth camp Thursday, and her former elementary school unveiled a giant mural of her on the wall of the gym/cafeteria. The school has since been transformed into Gibson County's Toyota Indiana YMCA. Young encouraged the youth to make use of the YMCA facilities, and she even said they could join her in workouts when she's home. "This is a big deal, you know—a YMCA in Princeton, Indiana," she said. "Who would have thought? "This place is special. I love Princeton. I'm very proud to be from here." The mural depicts her high school, college and pro career. She had a record 20 30-point games in high school, became an NCAA champion at ND, was the 2019 WNBA No. 1 draft pick, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time WNBA champion. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave This article originally appeared on Fighting Irish Wire: Notre Dame alum Jackie Young gets honored at her elementary school
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
WNBA star, Notre Dame alum Jackie Young gets a mural of her unveiled at elementary school
morning! WNBA All-Star festivities begin in earnest today at 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball Jackie Young (Princeton High/Notre Dame) on her trip @PCHSTigers, where she hosted a youth camp yesterday — and they unveiled a mural of her! Former Notre Dame women's basketball player Jackie Young is taking part in WNBA All-Star festivities all weekend long in Indianapolis, as she was selected for having a strong season with the Las Vegas Aces. The 2016 Indiana Miss Basketball at Princeton Community High hosted a youth camp Thursday, and her former elementary school unveiled a giant mural of her on the wall of the gym/cafeteria. The school has since been transformed into Gibson County's Toyota Indiana YMCA. Young encouraged the youth to make use of the YMCA facilities, and she even said they could join her in workouts when she's home. "This is a big deal, you know—a YMCA in Princeton, Indiana," she said. "Who would have thought? "This place is special. I love Princeton. I'm very proud to be from here." The mural depicts her high school, college and pro career. She had a record 20 30-point games in high school, became an NCAA champion at ND, was the 2019 WNBA No. 1 draft pick, is a two-time Olympic gold medalist and two-time WNBA champion. Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (Formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes, and opinions. Follow Dave on X: Miller_Dave
