Jayla Rankin

National awards were never on Triton College women's basketball standout Jayla Rankin's radar. She is laser-focused on involving her teammates in winning basketball and, as a point guard, being an extension of her coach on the court.

"I definitely describe myself as a leader," said the sophomore Rankin.

Yet the successful application of all her philosophies and physical talents has its rewards.

Rankin has been named as an NJCAA Division I Honorable Mention All-American. She is the seventh in team history and the third women's basketball player to claim earn All-American accolades in the last four years. The national honor came after being named NJCAA Region 4 Division I Player of the Year and first-team All-Region 4.

The All-American award was better late than never. Rankin could have been an honoree in 2024-25 as a freshman if not for a season-ending left-knee injury.

"Jayla was on track to win last year," said Triton coach Drew Winston. "To see her bounce back from the injury and get the nod this year is an amazing accomplishment."

Said Rankin: "I'm definitely appreciative of it. But it's not something I'm thinking about."

Her actions on court were the main selling points for All-American status. She scored 631 points (19.1 per game), ranking fifth nationally, and the third most in any season in Triton history.  Her season-high was a 41-point outburst on January 10 at Sauk Valley Community College.

In 49 career games, Rankin scored 828 total points, 12th in program history. Had she not been injured the previous season; Rankin would have been a 1,000-point scorer for sure.

Her 82 three-pointers, including a school record-tying nine in the Sauk Valley game, ranked 10th nationally.

Rankin also amassed 179 assists, ranking eighth among NJCAA Division I programs. She broke the single-game Triton and Region 4 Division I tournament record with 16 assists in the opening round game March 2 against Daley College.

And to emphasize her complete recovery from the previous season's injury, her 1,135 total playing minutes (34.4 per game) ranked sixth in the country.

The individual numbers look gaudy. But Winston said Rankin was team-first in every minute she played.

After being in a more supportive role in her truncated freshman season, Rankin "put us on her back" with her all-around play this year, said the Trojans head coach.

Rankin came out of the season with a better ability to push the ball up the court. "Last year it was something I struggled with," she said. "Just be a lot quicker. Try to break things down (running plays) to keep everything simple, and not let the (opposing) defense set up."

Attitude was even more important than raw numbers.

"Her drive and determination stood out," said Winston. "Her knack for wanting to win. She does not like losing. You can tell when the game is on the line, she wants to make the right pass. It's not all about her."

Rankin literally is a smart player with a deep, close family background. She began playing basketball and excelling in academics growing up on the Milwaukee border with northwest suburb Menominee Falls. When not playing or hitting the books, Rankin's idea of chilling out is spending time with family.

She is looking to major in Health Sports and Exercise Science, in which a future career as a coach, athletic trainer or physical therapist is the logical culmination.

"Academically, being a student is more important," Rankin said. "What I'm looking for (in a four-year school) is a mixture of both courses and basketball. Having what I do academically, then a good coaching staff and university where I feel at home."

A number of NCAA Division I and smaller schools have expressed interest so far. Rankin will have some visits lined up towards the end of the semester in hopes of making a final decision later this spring. As like the point guard she is, Rankin is bringing the ball up court and carefully eyeing all her options post Triton.

National awards were never on Triton College women's basketball standout Jayla Rankin's radar. She is laser-focused on involving her teammates in winning basketball and, as a point guard, being an extension of her coach on the court.

"I definitely describe myself as a leader," said the sophomore Rankin.

Yet the successful application of all her philosophies and physical talents has its rewards.

Rankin has been named as an NJCAA Division I Honorable Mention All-American. She is the seventh in team history and the third women's basketball player to claim earn All-American accolades in the last four years. The national honor came after being named NJCAA Region 4 Division I Player of the Year and first-team All-Region 4.

The All-American award was better late than never. Rankin could have been an honoree in 2024-25 as a freshman if not for a season-ending left-knee injury.

"Jayla was on track to win last year," said Triton coach Drew Winston. "To see her bounce back from the injury and get the nod this year is an amazing accomplishment."

Said Rankin: "I'm definitely appreciative of it. But it's not something I'm thinking about."

Her actions on court were the main selling points for All-American status. She scored 631 points (19.1 per game), ranking fifth nationally, and the third most in any season in Triton history.  Her season-high was a 41-point outburst on January 10 at Sauk Valley Community College.

In 49 career games, Rankin scored 828 total points, 12th in program history. Had she not been injured the previous season; Rankin would have been a 1,000-point scorer for sure.

Her 82 three-pointers, including a school record-tying nine in the Sauk Valley game, ranked 10th nationally.

Rankin also amassed 179 assists, ranking eighth among NJCAA Division I programs. She broke the single-game Triton and Region 4 Division I tournament record with 16 assists in the opening round game March 2 against Daley College.

And to emphasize her complete recovery from the previous season's injury, her 1,135 total playing minutes (34.4 per game) ranked sixth in the country.

The individual numbers look gaudy. But Winston said Rankin was team-first in every minute she played.

After being in a more supportive role in her truncated freshman season, Rankin "put us on her back" with her all-around play this year, said the Trojans head coach.

Rankin came out of the season with a better ability to push the ball up the court. "Last year it was something I struggled with," she said. "Just be a lot quicker. Try to break things down (running plays) to keep everything simple, and not let the (opposing) defense set up."

Attitude was even more important than raw numbers.

"Her drive and determination stood out," said Winston. "Her knack for wanting to win. She does not like losing. You can tell when the game is on the line, she wants to make the right pass. It's not all about her."

Rankin literally is a smart player with a deep, close family background. She began playing basketball and excelling in academics growing up on the Milwaukee border with northwest suburb Menominee Falls. When not playing or hitting the books, Rankin's idea of chilling out is spending time with family.

She is looking to major in Health Sports and Exercise Science, in which a future career as a coach, athletic trainer or physical therapist is the logical culmination.

"Academically, being a student is more important," Rankin said. "What I'm looking for (in a four-year school) is a mixture of both courses and basketball. Having what I do academically, then a good coaching staff and university where I feel at home."

A number of NCAA Division I and smaller schools have expressed interest so far. Rankin will have some visits lined up towards the end of the semester in hopes of making a final decision later this spring. As like the point guard she is, Rankin is bringing the ball up court and carefully eyeing all her options post Triton.

National awards were never on Triton College women's basketball standout Jayla Rankin's radar. She is laser-focused on involving her teammates in winning basketball and, as a point guard, being an extension of her coach on the court.

"I definitely describe myself as a leader," said the sophomore Rankin.

Yet the successful application of all her philosophies and physical talents has its rewards.

Rankin has been named as an NJCAA Division I Honorable Mention All-American. She is the seventh in team history and the third women's basketball player to claim earn All-American accolades in the last four years. The national honor came after being named NJCAA Region 4 Division I Player of the Year and first-team All-Region 4.

The All-American award was better late than never. Rankin could have been an honoree in 2024-25 as a freshman if not for a season-ending left-knee injury.

"Jayla was on track to win last year," said Triton coach Drew Winston. "To see her bounce back from the injury and get the nod this year is an amazing accomplishment."

Said Rankin: "I'm definitely appreciative of it. But it's not something I'm thinking about."

Her actions on court were the main selling points for All-American status. She scored 631 points (19.1 per game), ranking fifth nationally, and the third most in any season in Triton history.  Her season-high was a 41-point outburst on January 10 at Sauk Valley Community College.

In 49 career games, Rankin scored 828 total points, 12th in program history. Had she not been injured the previous season; Rankin would have been a 1,000-point scorer for sure.

Her 82 three-pointers, including a school record-tying nine in the Sauk Valley game, ranked 10th nationally.

Rankin also amassed 179 assists, ranking eighth among NJCAA Division I programs. She broke the single-game Triton and Region 4 Division I tournament record with 16 assists in the opening round game March 2 against Daley College.

And to emphasize her complete recovery from the previous season's injury, her 1,135 total playing minutes (34.4 per game) ranked sixth in the country.

The individual numbers look gaudy. But Winston said Rankin was team-first in every minute she played.

After being in a more supportive role in her truncated freshman season, Rankin "put us on her back" with her all-around play this year, said the Trojans head coach.

Rankin came out of the season with a better ability to push the ball up the court. "Last year it was something I struggled with," she said. "Just be a lot quicker. Try to break things down (running plays) to keep everything simple, and not let the (opposing) defense set up."

Attitude was even more important than raw numbers.

"Her drive and determination stood out," said Winston. "Her knack for wanting to win. She does not like losing. You can tell when the game is on the line, she wants to make the right pass. It's not all about her."

Rankin literally is a smart player with a deep, close family background. She began playing basketball and excelling in academics growing up on the Milwaukee border with northwest suburb Menominee Falls. When not playing or hitting the books, Rankin's idea of chilling out is spending time with family.

She is looking to major in Health Sports and Exercise Science, in which a future career as a coach, athletic trainer or physical therapist is the logical culmination.

"Academically, being a student is more important," Rankin said. "What I'm looking for (in a four-year school) is a mixture of both courses and basketball. Having what I do academically, then a good coaching staff and university where I feel at home."

A number of NCAA Division I and smaller schools have expressed interest so far. Rankin will have some visits lined up towards the end of the semester in hopes of making a final decision later this spring. As like the point guard she is, Rankin is bringing the ball up court and carefully eyeing all her options post Triton.