Former Notre Dame player Jackie Young has joined a club previously occupied only by ruth riley. By winning the WNBA championship with the Las Vegas Aces, Young is the second Irish player to win a a national championship, an Olympic gold medal and a WNBA title. She was on the Irish’s national title team in 2018, and she was on the gold-medal team for the inaugural 3-on-3 women’s basketball competition at the Tokyo Olympics.
During the Aces’ finals victory over the Connecticut Sun, Young averaged 12.8 points, 4.0 rebounds and 3.3 assists a game while shooting 38.3% from the field. Those numbers as well as matching Riley’s distinction caught the attention of Irish coach Niele Ivey:
Queen Tings! Triple crown her 👑👑👑 love to see it!! Jackie you are pure EXCELLENCE☘️👏🏾👏🏾✨✨✨ https://t.co/RaubhHo9z8
— Niele Ivey (@IrishCoachIvey) September 19, 2022
Appreciate this moment, Irish fans, because it might be a while before we see this again. This program has built some winners, but it rarely churns out winners quite like this. Until the next one comes, enjoy these photos of Young in the 2022 WNBA Finals:
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces grabs a rebound against Brionna Jones #42 of the Connecticut Sun in the third quarter during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Thomas recorded the first triple-double in WNBA NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Thomas recorded the first triple-double in WNBA NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Thomas recorded the first triple-double in WNBA NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles downcourt during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. Thomas recorded the first triple-double in WNBA NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Four
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles in the…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles in the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 18, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Four
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces attempts a three…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces attempts a three point basket in the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 18, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Four
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles in the…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles in the first half against the Connecticut Sun during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 18, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Four
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Kelsey Plum #10, Chelsea Gray #12, Jackie Young #0, Riquna…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 18: (L-R) Kelsey Plum #10, Chelsea Gray #12, Jackie Young #0, Riquna Williams #2 and A'ja Wilson #22 of the Las Vegas Aces react in the second half against the Connecticut Sun during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 18, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 11, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles the…
Sep 11, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles the ball in the second quarter during game one of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 11, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Connecticut Sun forward/guard DeWanna Bonner (24) drives the ball…
Sep 11, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Connecticut Sun forward/guard DeWanna Bonner (24) drives the ball against Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) during the third quarter in game one of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives the…
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives the ball against Connecticut Sun guard Alyssa Thomas (10) during the second quarter in game two of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles the…
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) dribbles the ball during the second quarter against the Connecticut Sun in game two of the WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun
Sep 15, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) drives the ball against…
Sep 15, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) drives the ball against Las Vegas Aces center Kiah Stokes (41) and guard Jackie Young (0) in the second quarter during game three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun
Sep 15, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) shoots against the…
Sep 15, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) shoots against the Connecticut Sun in the second half during game three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Las Vegas Aces at Connecticut Sun
Sep 18, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives past Connecticut…
Sep 18, 2022; Uncasville, Connecticut, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) drives past Connecticut Sun guard Courtney Williams (10) in the first half during game four of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena. Mandatory Credit: Wendell Cruz-USA TODAY Sports
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) and Connecticut…
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) and Connecticut Sun guard/forward DiJonai Carrington (21) dive for the ball during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
2022 WNBA Finals - Game One
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: (L-R) A'ja Wilson #22, Chelsea Gray #12 and Jackie Young…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: (L-R) A'ja Wilson #22, Chelsea Gray #12 and Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces laugh during a news conference after the Aces defeated the Connecticut Sun 67-64 to win Game One of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game One
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces drives against Courtney Williams #10 of the Connecticut Sun in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sun 67-64. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game One
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots against…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 11: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces shoots against DeWanna Bonner #24 of the Connecticut Sun in the fourth quarter of Game One of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 11, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sun 67-64. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Two
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun knock the ball…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Alyssa Thomas #25 of the Connecticut Sun knock the ball away from Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces in the third quarter of Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sun 85-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Two
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Pyrotechnics shoot from a backboard as Jackie Young (R) #0…
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - SEPTEMBER 13: Pyrotechnics shoot from a backboard as Jackie Young (R) #0 of the Las Vegas Aces is greeted on the court by Dearica Hamby #5 during player introductions before Game Two of the 2022 WNBA Playoffs finals against the Connecticut Sun at Michelob ULTRA Arena on September 13, 2022 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The Aces defeated the Sun 85-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
2022 WNBA Finals - Game Three
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles against Courtney…
UNCASVILLE, CONNECTICUT - SEPTEMBER 15: Jackie Young #0 of the Las Vegas Aces dribbles against Courtney Williams #10 of the Connecticut Sun in the first quarter during Game Three of the 2022 WNBA Finals at Mohegan Sun Arena on September 15, 2022 in Uncasville, Connecticut. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and/or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2022 NBAE (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
WNBA: Finals-Connecticut Sun at Las Vegas Aces
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) and Connecticut…
Sep 13, 2022; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Jackie Young (0) and Connecticut Sun guard/forward DiJonai Carrington (21) dive for the ball during the first quarter in game two of the WNBA Finals at Michelob Ultra Arena. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports
