WNBA's Jackie Younger Opens Up About Her Previous: ‘It Was Exhausting Rising Up’

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WNBA's Jackie Young Opens Up About Her Past: ‘It Was Hard Growing Up’

For Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Younger, greatness didn’t come in a single day. It was constructed by means of grit, self-belief, and a relentless drive to enhance. The now three-time WNBA Champion, All-Star, and Olympic Gold Medalist has turn into one among basketball’s most composed and constant performers, however earlier than the championship parades and the confetti, there was a small-town dreamer from Indiana with one easy objective, and that was to make it out and make her household proud.

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Jackie Younger Opens Up About Her Journey From Humble Beginnings To WNBA Greatness

Jackie Young at Raising Cane's Las Vegas during a "shift"
Picture courtesy of Elevating Cane’s

Whereas working a “shift” at Elevating Cane’s, Younger mirrored on her humble beginnings, the abroad grind that formed her, and the mindset that turned her right into a three-time WNBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. “It was arduous rising up,” Younger instructed the press, together with The Blast. “However I all the time instructed my household [that] I needed to be a WNBA participant. I needed to assist my household so we may make it out.”

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After a difficult begin early in her skilled profession, Younger’s journey took her midway world wide. She spent an offseason taking part in in Australia, an expertise she now credit because the turning level in her improvement each as a participant and an individual. “Enjoying in Australia was in all probability a turning level in my profession,” she defined. “We’d get up early to go field, then carry, then apply. I spent most of my time within the fitness center.”

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Progress Below Becky Hammon’s Steerage

Jackie Young at Raising Cane's Las Vegas
Picture courtesy of Elevating Cane’s

When Becky Hammon took over as head coach of the Aces, her imaginative and prescient for Younger’s evolution was clear. She needed her to stretch her recreation, actually and figuratively. “Her largest factor was she simply wanted me to shoot threes,” Younger recalled with a smile. “She stated, ‘Perhaps you make one a recreation, who is aware of, however for those who don’t try them, then we’ll by no means know.’”

Upon returning stateside, Younger labored tirelessly together with her coach, making small tweaks to her shot that modified the whole lot. “We didn’t do a complete lot,” she admitted. “We simply received lots of reps and that was the largest distinction.” The outcome? A extra assured, full participant who has turn into one of many league’s best scorers and a core pillar of the Aces’ dynasty.

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How Jackie Younger Turned Strain Into Energy

Jackie Young at Raising Cane's Las Vegas during a "shift"
Picture courtesy of Elevating Cane’s

To achieve the highest (and to remain there), Younger’s strategy to greatness goes far past bodily ability. “I believe it’s simply eager to be nice, truthfully,” she stated. “I put lots of time within the fitness center, within the offseason, throughout the season, simply to get my physique proper, my confidence proper, and my thoughts proper.”

That mindset has translated on to her efficiency, particularly when the lights are brightest. “When the strain’s on, I simply really feel prepared,” she defined. “My coaches and teammates have a lot confidence in me, it makes these moments particular.”

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Inside The Aces Dynasty

Jackie Young at Raising Cane's Las Vegas
Picture courtesy of Elevating Cane’s

Now coming into the uncommon air of dynastic success, Younger views the Aces’ dominance as extra than simply trophies, nevertheless it’s additionally about legacy. “Aces basketball is the usual now,” she stated. “Yearly we come into coaching camp understanding we’re prepping to win all of it.”

With three championships in 4 years, Younger has turn into a part of some of the embellished cores in girls’s basketball historical past. This crew has modified the dialog about funding and visibility within the sport. From top-tier services to a passionate fan base, Younger acknowledges that being a part of a franchise dedicated to girls’s sports activities has elevated the sport itself. “We’ve entry to the perfect coaching, the perfect therapy. It’s a blessing,” she stated.

Jackie Younger On Inspiring The Subsequent Technology

Jackie Young signing a jersey at Raising Cane's
Picture courtesy of Elevating Cane’s

For Younger, the success means little if it doesn’t open doorways for individuals who comply with. She takes satisfaction in being a visual function mannequin, particularly for younger ladies who see themselves in her story. “Strain is a privilege,” she stated. “It’s a superb factor. It means issues matter. I’m simply making an attempt to set a superb instance and be the usual.”

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From humble beginnings in Indiana to turning into a face of a contemporary sports activities dynasty, she’s proof that greatness isn’t born, nevertheless it’s constructed, one rep, one mindset shift, and one perception at a time.

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