Jade Owens (#1 / G / 5-6 / Fr.)
A top-50 Chicago area recruit, Jade has a lot of people excited to have her in a Creighton uniform. Short on height, but big on talent, Jade is quick with very good ball-handling ability and makes smart decisions with it in her hands. Her quickness allows her to maneuver well in and out of the paint. Not being the biggest player on the court doesn’t stop her from showing toughness. Like another highly-touted freshman from last year’s team, MC McGrory, Owens isn’t afraid to mix things up inside or hit the floor for a loose ball.
In high school, Owen eclipsed the 1,000-point mark during her junior season, showing a great ability to score and distribute. She reportedly had offers from over 20 different schools, including two each from the Big East and Ivy League.
After dealing with an ankle injury in the summer and now being sidelined with a bone bruise since about the midway point of the first official week of practices, her development is behind some of her other freshmen teammates. When she returns to the court she will jump back into the competition at the point guard spot in Jim Flanery’s offense, and try to develop some chemistry with her back court teammates, including 2013 Big East Player of the Year Marissa Janning.
Owens’ High School Stats:
Junior — 19 ppg, 4.5 rpg, 4.5 apg
Head Coach Jim Flanery on Owens:
“We didn’t have her in the summer because she had an ankle issue, and now she’s got a little bit of a knee issue. But she gives us something in transition where we can play her with Marissa, and she gives us something with her ability to push the ball. She’s pretty dynamic and creative with the dribble. She’s got great strength, which I think is going to help make her a very good defender. Offensively she’s a decent scorer. I think she’s a little bit better passer and set up person, but it’s not like she can’t score because she’s a pretty good scorer also.”
5-on-5 with Jade Owens:
Q: Why to did you decide to come to Creighton?
A: “I really like the academics here, along with the basketball. The Big East Conference really attracted me, I’d been looking at some other schools in the conference as well and took some visits there. Just the medical program at Creighton made it the best of both worlds, and I just really loved it when I visited and got a chance to see them play.”
Q: How do you think your game translates to this level, and how can you help right away?
A: “I think my ability to create as a point guard really helps at this level, and especially with this team. Having some more creators will really help.”
Q: What do you think is one area of your game that needs to improve the most?
A: “I’ve been working a lot on my three-point shooting range, and just creating more of my own offense. Not just looking to create for others, but taking my own shots when I’m open.”
Q: How has practice gone for you so far?
A: “It’s gone o.k. It’s kind of been rocky since I haven’t been able to play the last week, but other than it’s going well. I’m learning a lot of different things, and I think as freshmen we have a lot to learn. Since there are a lot of us we kind of have to take a bigger step forward.”
Q: What are your goals for your college career?
A: “For my college career I’d really like to see a Big East regular season championship. I’d really enjoy that along with getting to the [NCAA] Tournament, of course. I think those are always goals that as a team we have. For myself, I’d just like to see myself continue improving over the next four years, and keep working on everything that I have set goals for, and things I want to get better at.”