Former star WNBA player and University of Texas All-American forward Tiffany Jackson has died at 37 years old. The No. 5 pick within the 2007 WNBA draft passed away from breast cancer in accordance with her alma matter. 

Wiley Athletics, where she was head coach of the ladies’s basketball team, and the WNBA, spoke out in regards to the passing of the previous player and coach on social media. 

“We’re saddened to learn of the passing of a member of our WNBA family, Tiffany Jackson,” the league shared via Instagram. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Tiffany’s family.”

Jackson was diagnosed with Stage 3 breast cancer in 2015, and sat out the 2016 WNBA season, but appeared to make progress after treatment. She was told that the disease was in remission, and thru her Instagram page, noted that she was a “Breast Cancer Survivor.” She had an epic profession within the WNBA, retiring from the league in May 2018 after playing for the Recent York Liberty, Tulsa Shock and the Los Angeles Sparks.

Her next profession pursuit could be coaching. She joined the Longhorns as an assistant coach after which was hired as a head coach at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas in April of 2022.

Jackson was well respected by her peers as she was a trailblazer on the court. Texas women’s basketball coach Vic Schaefer referred to her as “one in all the best players within the history of Texas Women’s Basketball.”

“From her days as a player for DFW Elite to her days as a player at The University of Texas, Tiffany has meant a lot to so many individuals on this great state of Texas,” he said in an announcement. “She will likely be sorely missed by so many. Our deepest sympathies exit to her family.”

Tiffany’s accolades include being the one women’s basketball player within the University of Texas’ history to attain no less than 1,000 points, get 1,000 rebounds, get 300 steals and achieve 150 blocks. The 6’3″ player also averaged 15.6 points and eight.4 rebounds a game.

Her strongest showing was the 2004-2005 season, when she averaged 18.3 points and eight.7 rebounds a game. Jackson will likely be remembered for her indelible contributions to women’s basketball, but off the court, for being a daughter, a girl of religion and a mother to her son, Marley. We’re sending light and healing to her family members during this tough time.