CNN
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The University of Texas at Austin women’s basketball program “mourns the loss of longhorn legend” Tiffany Jackson, the school said in a statement Monday on its website. Jackson was 37 and died after a battle with breast cancer, according to the school.
Jody Conradt, who coached Jackson in Texas between 2003 and 2007, paid tribute in the university statement: “Tiffany had a great career and was an amazing player.
“She was recognized for her versatile game and the fact that she was extremely mobile and could play in multiple positions. She was loved by teammates and we share our sadness at her death.”
Current Longhorns head coach Vic Schaefer was also quoted in the statement: “We are deeply saddened by the news of the death of Tiffany Jackson, one of the greatest players in Texas women’s basketball history.
“From her days playing for DFW Elite to her days playing at the University of Texas, Tiffany meant so much to so many people in this great state of Texas. She will be greatly missed by so many. Our deepest sympathy goes out to her family.”
Chiney Ogwumike, current Los Angeles Sparks player and first overall winner of 2014, offered her condolences Twitter postnoting the impact Jackson had on her career.
“One of the first college basketball games my sisters and I ever went to was at the University of Texas… and Tiffany Jackson was an instant inspiration for everyone,” Ogwumike said.
“May her soul rest in peace and send love to her family.”
Jackson was a three-time All-American during her four years with the Longhorns and was the fifth draft pick in the 2007 Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft.
The Texas native spent nine seasons in the WNBA between 2007 and 2018 with three franchises: New York Liberty, the former Tulsa Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks, where she retired in May 2018.
Jackson was first diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in September 2015 as a member of Shock. She underwent successful treatment and returned to pro in Israel before signing with the Sparks in February 2017 and making a remarkable comeback.
Jackson was named the head coach of the Wiley College women’s basketball team in April 2022 after spending four years as an assistant in the Texas program.