On March 21, junior and Sidwell Girls Varsity Basketball player Jordyn Jackson was named the 2024-2025 Gatorade District of Columbia Player of the Year following a successful season with the Quakers. According to Gatorade, the award recognizes academic and athletic achievements and acknowledges the contributions athletes provide to the community.
Each year, the Gatorade Player of the Year award recognizes the top high school athletes in 12 different sports. An award is granted to one athlete in each sport per state, including Washington, D.C.. There is also one national Gatorade Player of the Year for each of the 12 sports. The award recognizes academic and athletic achievements and acknowledges the contributions athletes provide to the community.
Jackson is now among the many Sidwell alumni who have won Gatorade Player of the Year awards. Since 1987, a total 28 Sidwell athletes have won Gatorade Player of the Year awards across various sports.
The list includes Kiki Rice ’22, the 2021-2022 National Gatorade Girls Basketball Player of the Year and Jadyn Donovan ’23, the 2022-2023 Gatorade District of Columbia Girls Basketball Player of the Year.
Most recently, current senior Acaden Lewis won the 2023-2024 Gatorade District of Columbia Boys Basketball Player of the Year.
“It’s been surreal and I’m extremely grateful that I get to experience these moments with my teammates and family,” Jackson said after winning the award. “I have also felt extremely motivated by these awards as I think they are reminders to keep working and pushing myself to be even better.”
During the 2024-2025 season, Jackson averaged 19.3 points, 6.8 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game, leading the varsity team to a 27-3 record. In 2023, Jackson represented the United States on the Under-16 Women’s National Team, winning a gold medal in the International Basketball Federation American Championships.
“The past two years have been a journey for me in terms of finding self-confidence in my abilities as an athlete,” Jackson said.
She added that “this year was really big for me in terms of making huge strides in my mental health as a player. I also think it reflects all the hard work, sacrifices and support from my teammates, coaches and family.”
This past winter season, Jackson and the Girls Varsity Basketball Team won the Independent School League (ISL) Championship and the team finished second in the ISL regular-season standings.
Additionally, Jackson helped lead the team to the District of Columbia States Athletic Association (DCSAA) Championship, where the Quakers won against St. John’s College High School 72-44. Jackson scored 27 points in the championship and earned the Most Valuable Player of the game.
“I trust my preparation and have leaned on my handwork to handle any pressure or anxiety that comes with playing in big games,” Jackson said. “I also remind myself that pressure is a privilege and to always be grateful that I am able to play the game.”
Overall, the award encapsulates a very successful season for Jackson and the Sidwell Girls Varsity Basketball Team.
