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Lynx pounce for Olympic gold medallist

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Jackie Young with her Olympic gold medal as part of the US women's 3x3 basketball team.
Camera IconJackie Young with her Olympic gold medal as part of the US women's 3x3 basketball team. Credit: EPA

Perth Lynx have added Olympic Games gold medallist Jackie Young to their roster for the next WNBL season.

The American guard is a teammate of Liz Cambage at the Las Vegas Aces after being selected No.1 in the 2019 WNBA draft.

Young won gold last Wednesday in Tokyo as a member of the US 3x3 women's basketball team.

The 24-year-old is in contention for the 2021 WNBA most improved player award - averaging 13 points, three rebounds and three assists per game for the Aces - and is a versatile player that will offer the Lynx a scoring threat.

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Lynx coach Ryan Petrik is excited by what Young can offer his team when the WNBA tips-off in early November.

"Jackie is an efficient shooter, with a great mid-range game, and capability to play multiple positions in our system," he said.

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"We love her passing ability, and the fact she can rebound for a guard is a bonus.

"Jackie will also bring a real length and a physical presence on both ends of the court.

"Being a 6-foot guard with size and quickness, she gives us even more defensive flexibility than we already had."

The Lynx finished seventh in the eight-team WNBL last season but Petrik is confident they can improve on that with Young to join a familiar face in Perth, in Marina Mabrey who was signed last month.

"For our club to land a number 1 overall WNBA draft pick is a huge get," Petrik said.

"Additionally, Jackie played with Marina and won an NCAA championship with Notre Dame in D1 college, so they've already got an intimate knowledge of each other's game that should make their transition to the WNBL and our program that much easier for the both of them."

Young is looking forward to he new challenge Down Under.

"I am pumped to get there, meet my new teammates and start exploring Australia," she said.

"The Perth Lynx is a first-class organisation with a great atmosphere. I can't wait to play for them."

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