Former WNBA star Tiffany Jackson dead at 37 following breast cancer battle: Ex-coaches and teammates pay tribute to ‘amazing mother, daughter, friend and role model’
- Former WNBA star and college football standout Tiffany Jackson has died at 37
- Jackson, a Texas legend, died of breast cancer. She was first diagnosed in 2015
- She played nine years in the WNBA and was the No. 5 pick in the 2007 Draft
- Fans and former teammates paid tribute to an ‘amazing mother and daughter’
Tiffany Jackson, a former standout at the University of Texas who was the No. 5 pick in the WNBA draft in 2007 and played nine years in the league, has died of cancer, the school announced. She was 37.
Jackson, who was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015, died Monday. She was hired as head coach at Wiley College in April.
Jackson was a three-time All-Big 12 selection and was voted the national freshman of the year by the U.S Basketball Writers Association in 2004. She finished her Texas career ranked in the top five in career points, rebounds and steals. She is the only Longhorns player to reach 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 150 blocks in a career.
Former WNBA star Tiffany Jackson has died of breast cancer at the age of just 37
Jackson, pictured left hugging her mother after being drafted in 2007, played for nine seasons in the league, for New York Liberty, the Tulsa Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks
‘Tiffany had a great career and was an impact player,’ former Texas coach Jody Conradt said. ‘She was recognized for her all-around game and the fact that she was tremendously mobile and could play multiple positions. She was beloved by teammates, and we share in the sadness of her passing.’
On social media, fans, former coaches and former teammates all paid their respects to Jackson, with LaJeanna Howard – Duncanville High School head coach – saying: ‘Today we lost an XPantherette Tiffany Jackson. She was an amazing mother, daughter, friend, teammate and role model for so many.
‘Our prayers are with the Jackson family during this time.’
Jackson was drafted by the WNBA’s New York Liberty. She also played for the Tulsa Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks.
Her best pro season came in 2011 with Tulsa when she averaged 12.4 points and 8.4 rebounds.
Fans paid tribute to Jackson on social media following the sad news of her death on Monday
She is a legend of Texas Women’s basketball, with some claiming she is their best ever player
Jackson shoots against Texas A&M in 2006; she was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015
After her cancer diagnosis, Jackson managed to return to the court to play a final season with Los Angeles in 2017 before retiring at age 32. She was an assistant coach at Texas for two seasons.
‘We are deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of Tiffany Jackson, one of the greatest players in the history of Texas women’s basketball,’ Texas coach Vic Schaefer said.
‘I know she was so excited to be the head coach at Wiley College for the upcoming season. She will be sorely missed by so many. Our deepest sympathies go out to her family.’
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