Taiyanna Jackson

Position Center

Height 6-6

Class Senior

Hometown East Chicago, Ind.

High School East Chicago Central HS

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Career Honors:

at Kansas
WBCA All-America Honorable Mention (2023-24)
All-Big 12 First Team (2023-24)
Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2023-24)
Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist (2023-24)
Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (2023-24)
Big 12 Player of The Week (Feb 5, 2024)
Unanimous Preseason All-Big 12 Team (2023-24)
WNIT Most Valuable Player (2023)
WBCA All-America Honorable Mention (2022-23)
Unanimous All-Big 12 First Team (2022-23)
Unanimous Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2022-23)
Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist (2022-23)
Lisa Leslie Center of the Year Candidate (2022-23)
Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List (2022-23)
Big 12 Player of the Week (Feb 13, 2023)
Big 12 Co-Player of the Week (Jan 3, 2023)
Big 12 All-Defensive Team (2021-22)
Honorable Mention All-Big 12 (2021-22)

Kansas Career Rankings (at time of graduation)
#1 in Blocked Shots (301)
#1 in Field Goal Percentage (.620)
#2 in Double Doubles (41)
#2 in 10+ Rebound Games (50)
#3 in Rebounds (1,027)
#23 in Scoring (1,227)

at Trinity Valley CC
NJCAA Region 14 Freshman of the Year

2023-24 (Super-Senior)
Named First Team All-Big 12 and earned a spot on the Big 12 All-Defensive Team for a third-consecutive season…Repeated as an Honorable Mention All-America selection by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for the second-straight season…Two-time Big 12 Player of the Week…Ranked No. 4 in NCAA Division I with 97 blocked shots, the No. 2 single-season mark in program history…Averaged 3.03 blocks per game and finished her career with a school record 301 blocks in three seasons at Kansas…Averaged a double-double for the second-straight season, posting 12.6 points and 10.0 rebounds per game…Had 16 games with 10+ rebounds, giving her 50 such games as a Jayhawk…Recorded 14 double-doubles to finish tied for second in school history with 41 for her career…Scored 20+ points in six games, including a stretch of three-straight games vs. BYU (Jan. 21), at TCU (Feb. 3) and vs. Houston (Feb. 8)…Recorded a career-high 22 rebounds in the BYU game and tied the school record plus matched her career high with 9 blocks vs. Houston…Scored a career-high 29 points in KU’s win at UCF (Feb. 28)… Recorded her final double-double with 12 points, 18 rebounds, five steals and two blocks in her final game as a Jayhawk against USC (March 25) in the second round of the NCAA tournament.

2022-23 (Senior)
Unanimous First Team All-Big 12 and Big 12 All-Defensive Team selection…Honorable Mention All-America selection by the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association, becoming KU’s first WBCA All-America honoree since 2014…Named the MVP of the WNIT after leading the Jayhawks with 17.0 points and 13.0 rebounds per game in the tournament…Set the WNIT record with 33 offensive rebounds in the event…Finished the season with 23 double-doubles, the third-most in KU history…Ranked second in school history with 66.1 percent (230-348) shooting from the field, which ranked fourth nationally…One of five Power Five players to average a double-double…Ranked third in NCAA Division I in rebounds per game and sixth in blocks per game…Two-time Big 12 Player of the Week…Led the Big 12 in rebounds, blocked shots, field goal percentage and double-doubles…Averaged 15.2 points and 12.7 rebounds per game, becoming the first Jayhawk player since 1981-82 to average a double-double for an entire season…Set the single-season school record for blocked shots with 109, surpassing her previous record of 95 from the 2021-22 season…Scored in double figures 30 times in 36 games, with six games of 20+ points…Set a career-high with 24 points on two occasions: at Saint Mary’s (Nov. 26), at Texas Tech (Feb. 11)…Pulled down 10 or more rebounds 27 times, including 10 games of 15+ rebounds and four with 20 or more…Matched her career-high with 21 rebounds on four occasions, most recently in the WNIT Championship game against Columbia (April 1)…Had multiple blocked shots in 31-of-36 games, with a season-high of six against Baylor (Jan. 7)…Shot 50 percent or better from the field in 32-of-36 games, including all six games in the WNIT…Ranked third on the team with 49 steals and totaled 42 assists for the year.

2021-22 (Junior)
Selected to Big 12 All-Defensive Team, becoming the first-ever KU player chosen to the team…Honorable Mention All-Big 12…Set a new single-season school record with 95 blocked shots…Ranked fourth in the nation in blocks…Recorded the No. 7 single-season mark in school history for field goal percentage, shooting 61.4 percent from the field…Helped KU set a new school record with 5.7 blocks per game…Blocked a career-high eight shots at Kansas State (Jan. 19), which is tied for third-highest single-game mark in school history…Led the Jayhawks with 8.7 rebounds per game and ranked fourth on the team with 8.9 points per game…Scored 10+ points in 12 games, including a career-high 18 against Oklahoma State (Feb. 2) and at Oklahoma (March 5)…Blocked at least two shots in 27-of-31 games…Pulled down a career-best 17 rebounds against TCU (Feb. 6).

Prior to Kansas
Played the forward position primarily for Trinity Valley Community College…Through her two seasons tallied 41 starts through 44 games played and averaged 7.2 minutes…Shot 58 percent from the field and 58.6 from the free throw line…Scored 10.3 points per game…Helped the Cardinals to a 22-3 overall record, 13-2 in conference play and a perfect 11-0 home record…Paced the Cardinals to 1,200 wins…Aided Trinity Valley CC to Region XIV Title..NJCAA Region 14 Freshman of the Year…Scored a triple double in the conference tournament

High School
Competed for head coach Eric Kundich with the Cardinals in 4A…Senior season tallied 17.6 points per game, 7.7 rebounds per game, 3.1 assists per game, 3.7 steals per game and 3.2 blocks per game…Ended career averaging 12.3 points per game, 10.7 rebounds per game, 2.2 assists per game, 2.6 steals per game and 4.0 blocks per game…Scored 748 points, grabbed 653 rebounds, 133 assists 157 steals and 242 blocks on her career…Rated 95 overall four-star prospect by ESPN, part of ESPN 100…No. 54 overall, No. 12 post player nationally by ESPN…Ranked No. 67 overall, No. 13 post player by Prospect Nation…Ranked No. 1 prospect in state of Indiana by Rick Bolus Pre-Season Rankings…Ranked No. 3 prospect in state of Indiana by ESPN…Three-time IBCA All-State selection…Three-time Gary Post Tribune All-Area Selection…2017-18 IBCA Indiana Junior All-Star Team selection…Northwest Indiana Times, Gary Post Tribune and Indianapolis Star Preseason All-State selection in 2017-18 and 2018-19…IBCA and Indianapolis Star Indiana Miss Basketball candidate entering 2018-19 season…Previously committed to Ole Miss.

Personal
Granddaughter of Dorothy Phillips…Has four siblings, two brothers (Tyler and Tavaris) and two sisters (Tajanae and Tiara)…Twin sister Tiara plays basketball at IUP Northwest…Majoring in Kinesiology…Graduated from East Central High School.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Selected by Connecticut Sun in WNBA Draft

Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson will begin her professional career as a member of the Connecticut Sun. The Sun selected Jackson Monday night in the second round of the 2024 WNBA Draft at pick No. 19.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jackson Repeats as WBCA All-America Honorable Mention

Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson has received the recognition of All-America Honorable Mention from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) for the second-consecutive season, the organization announced Thursday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Semifinalist

Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2024 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year award. This is the second-consecutive year that Jackson has been a semifinalist for the award. The semifinalists were announced on Monday by the Naismith Awards.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jayhawks Have Four Receive All-Big 12 Recognition

The Kansas Jayhawks had four players recognized on the 2023-24 All-Big 12 Women’s Basketball Team, which was announced Tuesday by the conference office. Taiyanna Jackson and S’Mya Nichols both earned a spot on the All-Big 12 First Team, while Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgieter received honorable mention.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jackson Again Named to Naismith Defensive Player of The Year Watch List

Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been named to the Women’s Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List for the second-consecutive year. The watch list, featuring 15 players, was announced on Wednesday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named Big 12 Player of the Week

For the first time this season and third time in her career, Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been selected as the Big 12 Player of the Week. Jackson received the award after leading the Jayhawks to a 2-0 week that included wins against BYU and at TCU.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named to Naismith Player of the Year Watch List

Kansas super-senior center Taiyanna Jackson is one of 50 players named to 2023-24 Jersey Mike’s Naismith Women’s Player of the Year Watch List, which was announced Friday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named to Lisa Leslie Award Preseason Watch List

Kansas super-senior Taiyanna Jackson is one of 20 preseason candidates for the Lisa Leslie Award, which recognizes the top center in women’s NCAA Division I College basketball.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jayhawks Have Three Earn Preseason All-Big 12 Recognition

For the second straight season, Kansas Women’s Basketball has had a trio of players receive Preseason All-Big 12 recognition as super-seniors Taiyanna Jackson, Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgieter earned honors from the league on Wednesday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Recognized as WBCA All-America Honorable Mention

Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson has added to her collection of postseason recognition as she received All-America Honorable Mention from the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA).

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jackson and Prater Post Double-Doubles in Super 16 Win Over Nebraska

Taiyanna Jackson registered her 20th double-double of the season Thursday night to lift the Kansas Jayhawks to a 64-55 win over Nebraska at Allen Fieldhouse in the Super 16 round of the WNIT.

Women's Basketball 🏀 WBCA Lists Taiyanna Jackson as Region Finalist for All-America

The Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) announced Wednesday the region finalists for 2023 WBCA NCAA Division I Coaches’ All-America, with Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson named as one of 10 finalists from region three.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jackson, Franklin and Kersgieter Earn All-Big 12 Honors

Kansas was represented on the 2022-23 All-Big 12 Women’s Basketball Team by the senior trio of Taiyanna Jackson, Zakiyah Franklin and Holly Kersgieter, the conference announced Monday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named Semifinalist for Naismith Defensive Player of the Year

Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been named one of 10 semifinalists for the 2023 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year award. The semifinalists for the award were announced on Monday by the Naismith Awards.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Earns Second Big 12 Player of the Week Honor

For the second time this season, Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been named the Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference announced on Monday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named Candidate for 2023 Lisa Leslie Award

Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson is one of the Top 10 candidates for the 2023 Lisa Leslie Award, as announced by the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame and the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) on Friday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Named to Naismith Defensive Player of the Year Watch List

Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson is one of 15 players who have been named to the 2023 Naismith Women’s Defensive Player of the Year Watch List. The watch list was announced on Tuesday by the Naismith Awards.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Taiyanna Jackson Claims Big 12 Weekly Honor

On the strength of her league-leading eighth double-double of the season, Kansas senior center Taiyanna Jackson has been named the Co-Big 12 Player of the Week, the conference announced on Tuesday.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jackson Records Double-Double, 100th Career Block in Win over UTA

Senior center Taiyanna Jackson collected her second consecutive double-double and recorded her 100th career block as she led the Jayhawks to a 79-74 win over Texas-Arlington on Wednesday evening at Allen Fieldhouse.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Three Jayhawks Earn Preseason All-Big 12 Recognition

Kansas Women’s Basketball had three players earn a spot on the 2022-23 Preseason All-Big 12 Team, which was announced on Wednesday by the conference office. Senior guard Holly Kersgieter was selected to the team while senior guard Zakiyah Franklin and senior center Taiyanna Jackson received honorable mention.

Men's Basketball 🎙 The Jayhawker Podcast | WE ARE THE CHAMPIONS!!!

Wayne and Greg Gurley are back with their first hand recap of the national title game. The guys chat about the ups and downs of the game, Bill Self's legacy and how awesome it was to see as many former players as there were in New Orleans. Rock Chalk!

Women's Basketball 🎙 The Jayhawker Podcast | Taiyanna Jackson: The Program Changer

There’s a lot of pressure when it comes to being a division one athlete. Preforming at a high-level day in and day out. Keeping up with your classes. Hearing the cheers…and occasional boo…from the fans. Taiyanna Jackson has endured all that and more as she was sought after to help change the culture on the KU women’s basketball team.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Jayhawks Overcome Halftime Deficit for Seventh-Straight Win

Kansas overcame a 13-point halftime deficit to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders, 71-68, at the United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas on Saturday, earning KU its seventh-straight victory in Big 12 play and 10th win in conference play this season.

Women's Basketball Taiyanna Jackson: My Journey to KU

Being at KU is special. Throughout my career, I've played AAU basketball, went to a Junior College, and had the opportunity to attend many different schools later on in my career. Every chapter means a lot to me.

Women's Basketball 🏀 Big Fourth Quarter Finishes off Third Straight Win

A dominant fourth quarter and a second straight double-double by junior Tayianna Jackson helped lead Kansas to a 75-60 win over TCU on Sunday afternoon at Allen Fieldhouse.