Jackie-mania: The year Jackie Stiles became a phenomenon in the women's NCAA tournament

[Carnac]

Jackie Stiles had never been so happy in her life. Her fifth-seeded Southwest Missouri State women's basketball team had clinched a spot in the 2001 women's Final Four the night before. And as the team's plane taxied into the small Springfield airport after their flight home from the regional in Spokane, Washington, players and staff had less than 24 hours to race home, do laundry and repack before heading to St. Louis for the national semifinals.

Jackie-mania: The year Jackie Stiles became a phenomenon in the women's NCAA tournament

Each NCAA tournament, we watch to see if that transcendent player will emerge. Few embodied the magic of March more than Jackie Stiles 20 years ago.

www.espn.com

 

[bballnut90]

Jackie Stiles had never been so happy in her life. Her fifth-seeded Southwest Missouri State women's basketball team had clinched a spot in the 2001 women's Final Four the night before. And as the team's plane taxied into the small Springfield airport after their flight home from the regional in Spokane, Washington, players and staff had less than 24 hours to race home, do laundry and repack before heading to St. Louis for the national semifinals.

Jackie-mania: The year Jackie Stiles became a phenomenon in the women's NCAA tournament

Each NCAA tournament, we watch to see if that transcendent player will emerge. Few embodied the magic of March more than Jackie Stiles 20 years ago.

www.espn.com

Great read--Stiles was one of the most fun players to watch and wouldve been a phenomenal pro if not for all her injuries.

That 2001 tournament is one of the best ever IMO from an entertainment and competition standpoint. The 2001 senior class was insanely loaded, and the freshman class was also phenomenal. There were some major upsets early on (Tennessee/Georgia), Jackie Stiles Cinderella run, DT was great in regionals, Purdue unexpected run, ND's comeback vs UCONN and one of the most exciting title games of all time. Can't believe it was 20 years ago.

 

[enigmatic]

So unfortunate that while Stiles did win 2001 WNBA ROY she got derailed by injuries after which ultimately ended her career.