The Chicago Sky took Baylor guard Chloe Jackson in the second round of the 2019 WNBA Draft. It was no doubt her performance in the NCAA Championship game that made Chicago zero-in on the tough-as-nails point guard.
Jackson led the Bears in scoring in the deciding game against Notre Dame, dropping a season-high 26 points and hitting the game winning shot with 3.9 seconds left to play. It was clear to the Sky’s new head coach, James Wade, that Jackson had the tools he wanted for his arsenal in the Windy City.
“Chloe has proven she has WNBA quicks and WNBA speed,” Wade said on draft night. “We are just appreciative of the way she plays; how hard she plays and the pressure she puts on defense.”
Jackson is currently in a battle for the third point guard spot in Chicago. With Courtney Vandersloot in the starting role and Jamierra Faulkner returning in late-June, Chicago has a need for a third point guard to back up Vandersloot and hold down the fort until Faulkner returns. Jackson is competing with second-year players Linnae Harper and Hind Ben Abdelkader for the position. According to Wade, Jackson has a good shot at earning a roster spot.
“She’s very coachable,” Wade said. “She’s brought speed and athleticism to what we want to do at the play-making position. I like her defensive intensity. She’s still young, so I’m on her a lot.”
If Jackson makes the Sky roster, she will give the Sky the much-needed defensive identity that they’ve lacked in recent years.
How has camp been for you so far?
It’s been good. Once I got all the jitters and nerves out it’s been a good camp for me.
What’s been the toughest thing for you to pick up?
Definitely the language that they speak on defense. That’s been the main thing.
Have any of the vets taken you under their wing?
Yeah, for sure. Sloot being a great point guard she’s kind of told me things I need to do to fit into the role better. Diamond and I have known each other before I got here and she’s definitely been a big help for me.
What part of your game are you working on improving the most?
My three-point shot.
Take me back to draft night. How did you feel when you heard you’d been drafted by the Chicago Sky?
I was surprised but really excited. I’d never been to Chicago before, I just heard great things about it. I would say I was extremely excited.
In your last season at Baylor you had one loss, won a national championship, and led your team in that final game; what was your favorite moment of your year at Baylor?
Definitely that championship. When that buzzer hit zero so many feelings ran through my mind. It was a bunch of excitement. It’s what we worked for the whole year, so to see it pay off was the best feeling.
What was the visit like to the White House?
[Laughs] It was fine. I’m from D.C. so to visit the White House, and see some of the rooms and see where President Obama was, was an honor and a blessing.
What do you hope to achieve in your rookie season?
I just hope as a team we can get to the playoffs. I just want to come into my role and be a spark off the bench.