THE WNBL season is getting closer each day, and the preparations of each team are starting to ramp up as the pre-season reaches the pointy end. In our player spotlight series, we take a look at the starting lineup of each team and what each player will bring to the table. With plenty of exciting player movements around the league, there are set to be some enthralling dynamics across the league. The first team on the agenda is the Perth Lynx, who made headlines across the WNBL with their ability to bring in talented players both domestically and internationally.

One of their biggest signings in the 2021 off-season was the addition of American basketball talent Jackie Young, who brings plenty of skill and experience to the Lynx in her arrival. Young was one of two guards brought in to create a dynamic offence, and this looks to be a success with Young’s impressive skillset.

A native of Princeton, Indiana in the United States, Young has dedicated her life to competing and succeeding at the highest level in the sport of basketball. Young moved on to play college basketball for the Notre Dame Fighting Irish, where she won an NCAA title in 2018.

Her time with Notre Dame was enough to help scouts realize her potential with the WNBA draft approaching. Young was selected with the first overall pick of the 2019 WNBA Draft. She is in the midst of producing her strongest season at this level, with averages of 12.2 points, 4.1 rebounds and 3.2 assists good enough to see her in contention for the WNBL’s Most Improved Player Award.

Young is known as an aggressive and confident player, and will likely thrive given the increased opportunity at WNBL level.

Fresh off an Olympic campaign that saw her win gold at the Tokyo Olympics for the 3×3 tournament, Young is an exciting addition to a Lynx team that is shaping up nicely ahead of the 2021/22 season.

Lynx general manager Brent Dawkins says Young will bring some crucial traits to the side.

‘That all-around game is important for us in the backcourt there,’ Dawkins says.

‘A ball-handling guard is really key for us, we’re also really tall starting five. She brings that as a six-foot guard’.

Despite being just 24 years of age, Young will bring a wealth of experience to the team, having played in the US, Europe and the Olympics.

It is also well-known that Young is a double-double machine, holding the Notre Dame record in this category, so expect her to fill the stat sheet when she takes the court for Perth.

Young should prove to be an exciting addition for the Perth Lynx and the NBL as a whole, with her exciting talent and consistent play set to draw plenty of fans to Bendat Basketball Center.

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