USA Basketball released earlier today that Jackie Young joins the U.S. Olympic 3×3 Women’s Basketball Team. Young will join teammate Kelsey Plum, Stefanie Dolson, and Allisha Gray to play in Tokyo. She was added to the team after Katie Lou Samuelson became ineligible to play due to USA Basketball’s health and safety protocols. Jackie currently is in her third year with the Las Vegas Aces and has had her best season thus far. This 3×3 competition will make its Olympic debut and compete for gold from July 23-28.
Welcome to the 2020 U.S. Olympic 3×3 Women’s Basketball Team, @JackieYoung3! 🇺🇸
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) July 19, 2021
Success with the Aces
Jackie has had a stand-out season thus far playing for the Aces. In the past, she has been the energy of the bench, but now she is a starter and has been for all 21 games. Jackie is currently averaging 12.6 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 3.2 AST, and 1.2 STL. Her game has tremendously improved since last season and is a contender for Most Improved Player. Young is still learning but has an energy that helps the Aces and will translate well to the 3×3 game. The Aces are currently 15-6 and ranked second in the WNBA standings. Young will be around a familiar face, teammate Plum who also has been a big player for the Aces. Their chemistry as teammates will be huge in being successful for the 3×3 team.
How will she contribute to the Team?
Now that Young joins the team, let’s see how she will contribute. Despite losing Katie Lou, Jackie will be a great fit for this team. According to USA Basketball, Young previously participated in the training camp in Feb. 2020 in Chicago for the 2020 USA 3×3 Olympic Qualifying Team. Jackie has prior experience with 3×3 basketball, although this is the first time 3×3 is being played in the Olympics, this will help her adjust well to this style that 3×3 requires. Jackie will be a versatile guard for this team and can post up if needed. She is joining two guards Allisha and Kelsey, as well as post player Stefanie. Not only can Jackie handle the ball she is starting to have strong court vision which will help her teammates get the ball.
Although Jackie is not the most proficient three-point shooter, her ability to create shots for herself will be huge if she can make them for this team. Jackie is used to feeding her teammates the ball, but she will have to be a huge offensive threat due to only being 3 players on the court for one team at a time. Adrenaline and endurance will be necessary to play this game since it is so short, yet fast-paced and demanding. Playing around leaders like Plum, Gray, and Dolson will be huge for Young who thrives off of strong players around her. Ultimately Young was a great replacement for Samuelson and will be key in the team’s success in Tokyo.
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