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

For Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young, greatness didn’t come overnight. It was built through grit, self-belief, and a relentless drive to improve. The now three-time WNBA Champion, All-Star, and Olympic Gold Medalist has become one of basketball’s most composed and consistent performers, but before the championship parades and the confetti, there was a small-town dreamer from Indiana with one simple goal, and that was to make it out and make her family proud.

While working a "shift" at Raising Cane's, Young reflected on her humble beginnings, the overseas grind that shaped her, and the mindset that turned her into a three-time WNBA Champion and Olympic Gold Medalist. “It was hard growing up,” Young told the press, including The Blast. “But I always told my family [that] I wanted to be a WNBA player. I wanted to help my family so we could make it out.”

After a challenging start early in her professional career, Young’s journey took her halfway around the world. She spent an offseason playing in Australia, an experience she now credits as the turning point in her development both as a player and a person. “Playing in Australia was probably a turning point in my career,” she explained. “We’d wake up early to go box, then lift, then practice. I spent most of my time in the gym.”

With the time difference limiting family calls and distractions, Young was left alone with her thoughts and her goals. “You don’t talk to your family as much, so you have a lot of time to just work on yourself,” she said, emphasizing that it was that discipline and routine that would lay the foundation for the powerhouse player who would return to dominate in the WNBA.

When Becky Hammon took over as head coach of the Aces, her vision for Young’s evolution was clear. She wanted her to stretch her game, literally and figuratively. “Her biggest thing was she just needed me to shoot threes,” Young recalled with a smile. “She said, ‘Maybe you make one a game, who knows, but if you don’t attempt them, then we’ll never know.’”

Upon returning stateside, Young worked tirelessly with her trainer, making small tweaks to her shot that changed everything. “We didn’t do a whole lot,” she admitted. “We just got a lot of reps and that was the biggest difference.” The result? A more confident, complete player who has become one of the league’s most efficient scorers and a core pillar of the Aces’ dynasty.

To reach the top (and to stay there), Young's approach to greatness goes far beyond physical skill. “I think it’s just wanting to be great, honestly,” she said. “I put a lot of time in the gym, in the offseason, during the season, just to get my body right, my confidence right, and my mind right.”

Young doesn’t take mental strength for granted, either. With the help of the Aces’ team therapist, she’s learned the value of mental balance and preparation. “We have a team therapist, shout out to Raven,” she said proudly. “It’s about being mentally ready for those big moments.”

That mindset has translated directly to her performance, especially when the lights are brightest. “When the pressure’s on, I just feel ready,” she explained. “My coaches and teammates have so much confidence in me, it makes those moments special.”

Now entering the rare air of dynastic success, Young views the Aces’ dominance as more than just trophies, but it’s also about legacy. “Aces basketball is the standard now,” she said. “Every year we come into training camp knowing we’re prepping to win it all.”

With three championships in four years, Young has become part of one of the most decorated cores in women’s basketball history. This team has changed the conversation about investment and visibility in the sport. From top-tier facilities to a passionate fan base, Young acknowledges that being part of a franchise committed to women’s sports has elevated the game itself. “We have access to the best training, the best treatment. It’s a blessing,” she said.

For Young, the success means little if it doesn’t open doors for those who follow. She takes pride in being a visible role model, especially for young girls who see themselves in her story. “Pressure is a privilege,” she said. “It’s a good thing. It means things matter. I’m just trying to set a good example and be the standard.”

She remembers looking up to Candace Parker as a child and now embraces the responsibility of being that figure for others. “If I can be that person for the next generation, then we’re doing something right," Young told the press. “It doesn’t matter where you come from. As long as you put the work in and stay true to yourself, anything is possible.”

From humble beginnings in Indiana to becoming a face of a modern sports dynasty, she’s proof that greatness isn’t born, but it’s built, one rep, one mindset shift, and one belief at a time.