One of the most prominent players to ever suit up for the University of Texas (UT) women’s basketball team has died, per reports from Austin-based media outlets.
Tiffany Jackson lost her battle with cancer at the age of 37 on Monday.
Austin ABC affiliate KVUE reported that Jackson, who also played in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2015 and had just landed the head coaching job at Willey College in Marshall.
A product of Duncanville High School where she won a state championship, Jackson built a multi-decorated career while she matriculated in Austin.
KVUE reported that she earned national freshman of the year honors in 2004 and was a three-time All-Big XII selection.
The lone Longhorns player to amass 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 300 steals and 150 blocks in a career, Jackson left UT as an all-time leader in points, rebounds and steals.
Third-year UT head coach Vic Schaefer called Jackson “one of the greatest players” in the program’s history, Austin NBC affiliate KXAN reported.
“From her days as a player for DFW Elite to her days as a player at The University of Texas, Tiffany has meant so much to so many people in this great state of Texas,” Schaefer said, KXAN reported. “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.”
KVUE reported that Jackson entered the WNBA as a 2007 selection of the New York Liberty and went on to play for the Tulsa Shock, who are now the Dallas Wings, and the Los Angeles Sparks.
She played professionally in Israel from 2013 to 2020, as well as took on an assistant coach position with her alma mater.
“Your impact will be remembered forever,” the Wings posted on Facebook.