KU women’s hoops is having its best season in a decade. Meet the player at the center of it
Taiyanna Jackson finally felt wanted.
In the 2021 offseason, the former Trinity Valley Community College center met virtually with Kansas women’s basketball coach Brandon Schneider and his staff to discuss transferring to Lawrence.
As Jackson left the Zoom meeting, the 6-foot-6 center began to think. Despite not stepping foot into Allen Fieldhouse, donning the crimson and blue felt right.
“Wow, they made me feel like I needed to be here,” Jackson thought. “They didn’t pressure me.”
Coming off a 7-18 (3-15 Big 12 record) season, Schneider needed a player of Jackson’s caliber.
“She’s a kid that was used to winning and didn’t lose very many games at the junior college level,” Schneider told The Star.
As for his pitch ...
“First and foremost, (she) could be the anchor of our defense. The offensive stuff would come,” Schneider said. “Give us a chance to help you work and develop on the offensive end. But your defense and presence in the paint are ready to make a huge impact the day you step on campus.”
Two years later, Schneider has delivered on his promise. In December, the No. 23 Jayhawks (12-3, 2-2 Big 12) were ranked in the AP poll for the first time since 2013. Jackson’s improved play has been as much a reason as any.
After the Jayhawks lost 95-61 to Final Four finalist Stanford in the second round of the 2021 NCAA Tournament, Jackson vowed to improve.
Already, she had made the Big 12 All-Defensive Team in 2021 and had been known for her elite rim protection … especially her devastating blocks. During the offseason, Jackson worked closely with associate head coach Terry Nooner to refine her offensive game. She spent the whole summer in Lawrence and focused on her shooting and overall aggression.
When she wasn’t practicing, Jackson studied tapes of her favorite players: Brittney Griner and Candace Parker.
Her hard work paid off — she’s currently averaging a career-high in points (15.5), field-goal percentage (66%) and free-throw percentage (65). She also averages 12.3 rebounds and 2.9 blocks per game.
“I think her biggest improvement has been on the offensive end; she’s spent a lot of time trying to add to her skill set on that end of the floor,” Schneider said. “I think defensively, she’s continued to improve because of her awareness in (terms) of her familiarity with the different styles of play that we see at this level and in our league.
“Last year was kind of a learning year for her when it comes to terminology and how we communicate defensively. Now, that’s all second nature to her. So I think that’s just helped her continue to get better there.”
The court isn’t the only place Jackson has made strides. In the locker room, she leads by example as the team’s captain with her improved work ethic and high-energy play at practices.
Jackson puts in the work because she has big goals. Those goals include a Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year award, a Big 12 Player of the Year award, winning the Big 12 championship and making it far in the NCAA Tournament.
A few years ago, the notion of Kansas competing for a conference title seemed foreign.
“She’s impacted winning,” Schneider said. “There has to be a commitment to culture and defending it on a daily basis. There has to be a commitment to chemistry. You are hopeful that translates to winning.
“Twin (Jackson) has impacted winning. That’s where players really leave a mark. ‘What was your record in your time there?... Did you contribute to competing for a conference championship?’ I think that’s where her mentality is and the mentality of our team.”
Jackson relishes being around a locker room with expectations.
“In the past, there have been celebrations when we win our first conference game,” Jackson told The Star. “(For) our first conference win (this year), there hasn’t been as big of a celebration. … Our team and our coaches know some games we should win.”
After a 12-1 start to the year, the Jayhawks have faced their first real adversity of the season, dropping back-to-back conference games against Baylor (75-62) and at Texas (72-59). Those losses dropped KU to fifth in the conference.
Despite the skid, Schneider feels his team will be in the mix for a conference title if the players can stay healthy and continue to improve.
“Early in league play, our defense has been inconsistent — and that’s something we take a lot of pride in,” Schneider said. “We have to make sure the defensive rebounding is something that travels and that we are committed to it whether we are on the road or at home, because that’s what gives us a chance to win.
“We are a talented offensive team that has a lot of room for improvement.”
Jackson won’t let her team lose focus on the bigger picture.
“We still have some work to do as a team,” Jackson said. “We can’t be satisfied that we are ranked. … We have to play how we played to get ranked.”
This story was originally published January 13, 2023 at 7:00 AM with the headline "KU women’s hoops is having its best season in a decade. Meet the player at the center of it."
