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WNBA Las Vegas Aces

Las Vegas Selects Notre Dame Guard Jackie Young with First Pick in 2019 WNBA Draft

April 10, 2019 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Las Vegas Aces News Release


New York, NY - After months of speculation, the wait finally ended at 4:15 pm PT today when WNBA Chief Operating Officer Christin Hedgepethstrode to the podium at Nike Headquarters in New York City and announced "With the first pick in the 2019 WNBA Draft, the Las Vegas Aces select ... Notre Dame guard, Jackie Young."

One of the few triple-threat offensive players in the nation, Young was one of just four collegians in 2018-19 to average more than 14.0 points, 7.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists per game. She also ranked third in the nation in shooting percentage by a guard, and made 45.2 percent of her three-pointers for good measure.

The Princeton, Indiana native was named an AP All-American this season, and also earned ACC Tournament MVP honors, averaging 19.3 points, 10.0 rebounds and 6.0 assists in the three games.

"As we continue to build the Aces into a championship contender, one need we identified was strength and athleticism on the perimeter," said Las Vegas General Manager Dan Padover. "Jackie will provide that immediately on both ends of the floor. She is also the consummate teammate and a smart basketball player. She will do all of the little things that winning teams need, and has all the tools on the offensive end to be a difficult matchup in the WNBA for years to come."

Young was a late entry into the draft pool, declaring her intention to forgo her final year of eligibility just two days ago. As a draft-eligible junior, she had 24 hours after her final game to announce her decision, and her final game happened to be the national championship game Sunday evening.

JACKIE YOUNG CAREER COLLEGIATE STATISTICS

G-GS Min-MPG FG-FGA FG% 3G-3GA 3G% FT-FTA FT% OR DR REB RPG PF-DQ A TO B S Pts PPG

2016-17 33-0 707-21.4 88-190 .463 11-29 .379 53-66 .803 66 86 152 4.6 77-0 47 48 9 27 240 7.3

2017-18 38-38 1308-34.4 212-408 .520 11-39 .282 116-147 .789 102 150 252 6.6 68-0 139 93 18 52 551 14.5

2018-19 38-37 1225-32.2 211-400 .528 14-31 .452 124-158 .785 102 179 281 7.4 55-0 192 73 16 49 560 14.7

Totals 109-75 3240- 29.7 511-998 .512 36-99 .364 293-371 .790 270 415 685 6.3 200-0 378 214 43 128 1351 12.5

DRAFT NOTES

The Aces have had the number one overall pick four times in the history of the franchise- 1998, Margo Dydek (Utah Starzz); 2017, Kelsey Plum (San Antonio Stars); 2018, A'ja Wilson (Las Vegas Aces); and 2019, Jackie Young (Las Vegas Aces).

Jackie Young is the second Notre Dame player to be selected with the number one overall pick in the WNBA Draft, joining Jewell Loyd, whom the Seattle Storm selected in 2015.

Jackie Young is the second Notre Dame player that the Aces have selected in the WNBA Draft- 2014, Kayla McBride, No. 3 overall (San Antonio Stars).

Jackie Young is the 15th Notre Dame player to be selected in the WNBA Draft.

Year Round Pick Player Team

2019 1 1 Jackie Young Las Vegas Aces

2017 2 14 Lindsay Allen New York Liberty

2015 1 1 Jewell Loyd Seattle Storm

2014 1 3 Kayla McBride San Antonio Stars

2014 1 9 Natalie Achonwa Indiana Fever

2013 1 3 Skylar Diggins Tulsa Shock

2012 1 3 Devereaux Peters Minnesota Lynx

2012 1 8 Natalie Novosel Washington Mystics

2008 3 43 Charel Allen Sacramento Monarchs

2006 3 31 Megan Duffy Minnesota Lynx

2005 2 17 Jacqueline Batteast Minnesota Lynx

2002 3 47 Ericka Haney Detroit Shock

2001 1 5 Ruth Riley Miami Sol

2001 2 19 Niele Ivey Indiana Fever

2001 3 48 Kelley Siemon Los Angeles Sparks

Bill Laimbeer, a Notre Dame grad, has coached five former Notre Dame players in his WNBA career- Lindsay Allen (2018 Las Vegas Aces), Kayla McBride (2018 Las Vegas Aces), Jacqueline Batteast (2006), Ruth Riley (2003-06, Detroit Shock), Niele Ivey (2005, Detroit Shock). Jackie Young will be the sixth. That is a record. Or at least I am claiming it is.

Las Vegas tips off its second season of WNBA competition at Mandalay Bay Events Center on Sunday, May 26 at 5 pm PT. Season ticket memberships, group tickets, flex plans and single game tickets may be purchased at LasVegasAces.com. For additional information about the Aces please visit LasVegasAces.com or follow on social media via Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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