TAMPA, Fla. -- Like Oregon's Sabrina Ionescu two days before her, Notre Dame's Jackie Young has to make a big decision in a short amount of time. The WNBA draft-eligible junior said Sunday after the Irish lost to Baylor 82-81 in the national championship game that she had not made up her mind about whether she will declare for Wednesday's draft.
She is the projected No. 2 overall pick in espnW's latest mock draft.
Young has until Monday evening, 24 hours after the NCAA final, to inform the WNBA of her decision. She is eligible for this year's draft because she turns 22 this calendar year.
"I honestly don't know," Young said. "I haven't made a decision. I'll have to make it soon, I guess."
Young struggled Sunday, shooting 1-of-8 from the field and finishing with four points. She had six assists and nine rebounds. She said the outcome of Sunday's game isn't something she expected to impact her decision. If she returns, she would be the only starter back for Notre Dame next season.
"We'll just wait and see what she wants to do," Notre Dame coach Muffet McGraw said. "I think she would have the opportunity to be the go-to person on the team [next season]. Have an opportunity to be a vocal leader and just continue to improve your game against the best defender. Because now that Arike [Ogunbowale] is gone, she'll see the best defender."