Aug. 21—'s offseason program wasn't singularly-focused.
But it's clear developing a more consistent three-point shot during the spring and summer was a major point of emphasis ahead of her sophomore year with the Illinois women's basketball team.
That effort started shortly after the Illini's season ended on March 23 with a 75-57 loss to Vanderbilt in Nashville, Tenn., during the second round of the NCAA tournament and has continued through eight weeks of summer workouts.
Now, that most of the Illinois players are back on campus with the fall classes set to get underway on Monday, it won't be long before the Illini begin ramping up toward the start of preseason practices in late September.
The work Jackson has put in this offseason to add a three-point shot to her game is all in an effort to make the Illinois offense more efficient. The fact is opponents didn't really have to respect Jackson's outside shooting as much as the Illini would like — and that handcuffs Illinois somewhat.
Jackson shot just 28.2 percent from beyond the three-point arc, although the 5-foot-6 point guard and Chicago native also only attempted 39 three-pointers (with 11 makes).
Illini associate head coach has been spending the most time helping Jackson find more confidence with her three-point stroke.
Jackson's mechanics was a clear area McEntire has tried to refine.
"We have spent a lot time together," McEntire said. "I know she alluded to that at one point with you guys. Destiny loves to be in the gym. So, I give her all the credit for the growth that's she had. We still have some growth to go. You know, we're working both on catch-and-shoot, being down and ready, and then off the move also. She's just growing more and more confident, which I think is major key.
"I think sometimes when point guards are coming out of high school they aren't taught to play off the ball as much as point guards. ... Some of her misses, in watching film, is she's not down and ready to shoot the ball. Like she's giving it up and playing off the ball. But really being prepared for that and down and ready and hands and feet — and then just really tightening up her shot — has been a big focal point for us. She's putting in the work, and I am really excited to see the fruits of her labor come through."
Despite some of those shooting limitations, Jackson had a very good freshman year on a 22-win Illini team, starting all 34 games during the 2025-26 season and averaging 9.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 5.2 assists per game en route to capturing All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors.
Illinois is hoping, however, that Jackson's development from her freshman to sophomore year — as well as that of her teammates, with the Illini having one of the nation's youngest rosters last season — will lead to a leap in production offensively as a team during the upcoming 2026-27 season.
Fifth-year coach has emphasized this summer how much Illinois would like to play at a faster pace offensively and find better opportunities to score through its Phoenix transition offense.
The Illini could use to elevate their offense this season. Illinois, after all, ranked middle of the pack in the Big Ten in scoring offense with the Illini's average output of 76.5 points per game ranking ninth in the 18-team conference.
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