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Illini Women's Recruit Destiny Jackson Named Gatorade Player of the Year

Jackson, a five-star point guard from Whitney Young (Chicago), will join a stellar class of 2025 for the Illini

Jason Langendorf

Illinois' Jasmine Brown-Hagger (8) shows three fingers as the Illinois' bench celebrates her three-pointer during the Indiana versus Illinois women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025.
Illinois' Jasmine Brown-Hagger (8) shows three fingers as the Illinois' bench celebrates her three-pointer during the Indiana versus Illinois women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Thursday, Jan. 16, 2025. / Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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The Illinois women's basketball program has reached a potentially pivotal point in its growth from a traditionally middling Big Ten competitor to a potential national contender. Nothing underscores that fact more than the wave of talent that will arrive in Champaign ahead of next season.

On Thursday, Destiny Jackson – the cornerstone of Illinois' No. 7-ranked 2025 recruiting class, according to espnW – was named Illinois Girls Basketball Gatorade Player of the Year. The award is annually handed out to the best boys and girls players in each state across several sports.

Jackson, a 5-foot-6 point guard from Chicago's Whitney Young, averaged 21.1 points, 7.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.8 steals to lead the Dolphins to a 25-9 record and the Class 4A sectional championship game.

Ranked the No. 25 recruit in the country by espnW – one of four top 100 recruits in Illinois' class of 2025 – Jackson is the 10th Gatorade Player of the Year to join the Illini, including the fourth from the state of Illinois.

"She brings such a toughness, a grittiness to our team," Illini coach Shauna Green said of Jackson after her signing. "Obviously, [we have] departing two point guards, so Destiny coming in is gonna have a big role to play and is able to take over that point guard position. She has the ability to score at all three levels: her three-point shot, her midrange and her ability to get to the rim. Just a dynamic scorer and dynamic point guard who is going to be able to lead our team, and someone I know that is gonna develop into a great leader."

After winning the inaugural WBIT last season, Illinois has rallied through a spate of serious injuries to cobble together a surprisingly competitive season (21-9, 11-7 Big Ten). With fifth-year seniors Makira Cook and Genesis Bryant set to move on, Jackson may inherit a significant load as soon as she arrives in Champaign.

More From Illinois on Sports Illustrated:

NCAA.com Projects Tournament Path for Illinois Women's Basketball

What Seed Will Illinois Basketball Land in the NCAA Tournament?

Illinois Face-Plants Against Maryland in Big Ten Tournament Quarterfinal

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Jason Langendorf
JASON LANGENDORF

Jason Langendorf has covered Illinois basketball, football and more for Illinois on SI since October 2024, and has covered Illini sports – among other subjects – for 30 years. A veteran of ESPN and Sporting News, he has published work in The Guardian, Vice, Chicago Sun-Times and many other outlets. He is currently also the U.S. editor at BoxingScene and a judge for the annual BWAA writing awards. He can be followed and reached on X and Bluesky @JasonLangendorf.

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