A promising new chapter for Indiana college basketball player Jordan Scott was tragically cut short. Just weeks after transferring to the University of Evansville, the sophomore women’s basketball player died in a car crash Sunday night at the age of 19.
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Evansville Women’s Basketball released a statement on X confirming Scott’s death on Monday.
“The University of Evansville community mourns the loss of women’s basketball student-athlete Jordan Scott. Our thoughts are with her parents Mario and Amy, sister and teammate Jayden, as well as her family, friends, and teammates during this difficult time.”
According to reports, Jordan Scott was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Warrick County late Sunday night, and according to officials cited by WRTV, she was driving on State Road 62 at around 12:42 a.m. after dropping off a friend when her vehicle left the road and struck a utility pole.
A witness told authorities that Scott’s vehicle left the roadway while navigating a sharp curve before striking the pole and coming to rest on its side in a tree line. The vehicle sustained severe damage, and Scott was pronounced dead at the scene. She was the only person in the vehicle.
Authorities reportedly suspect speed may have played a role in the crash.
The university said Scott’s death has been felt throughout the program, particularly as the team had spent the summer and fall building relationships with one another.
“We are heartbroken by Jordan’s passing,” Evansville Vice President for Athletics Dr. Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried said, per 14 NEWS – a local media outlet based in Evansville, Indiana. “Jordan was a beloved member of our Purple Aces family, and we are grateful that she chose to share part of her life with us.”
The university has also confirmed that counseling and grief support services are being made available to students, student-athletes, and staff.
Funeral arrangements have also been announced, with UE officials stating that a celebration of life for Jordan Scott will be held at 10 a.m. on Saturday, September 12, at Neu Chapel.
This heartbreaking tragedy comes just weeks after Jordan Scott transferred to Evansville, where she hoped to continue her college basketball career and finally fulfill a lifelong dream.
Jordan Scott’s Basketball Journey Was All About Family
For Jordan Scott, basketball was a family affair from the very beginning. Growing up in Newburgh, Indiana, she was influenced by her father, Mario Scott, who played college basketball at Florida Atlantic University. His connection to the game helped fuel Jordan’s own passion for basketball from a young age, according to the Sunday Guardian.
She also shared a particularly close bond with her younger sister, Jayden Scott. The two grew up practicing together and dreaming of one day playing college basketball as teammates. And they worked hard toward making that dream a reality.
Jordan attended Castle High School in Newburgh, where her talent quickly began to shine. As a freshman, she helped the Knights win the 2022 Sectional Championship. She kept building on that early success, averaging double figures in each of her final three seasons while collecting All-SIAC First Team, All-State Honorable Mention, and First Team All-Metro honors.
Scott also continued sharpening her game on the AAU circuit, representing programs like Swish City, Pocket City, and IGB Select 40 before taking her talents to the college level.
After graduating from high school, Jordan chose Wabash Valley College as the next stop in her basketball journey. She quickly became a key contributor for the Warriors, appearing in 27 games and starting 26 while averaging 12.5 points, 3.0 assists, and 2.3 steals per game. She reached double figures 18 times, including three 20-point performances.
She had decided to join the University of Evansville for her sophomore year, where her childhood dream was finally coming full circle as her younger sister, Jayden, also joined the program as a freshman.
Unfortunately, fate wouldn’t let the two sisters share the college basketball court together, and news of Scott’s accident has sent shockwaves across the entire college basketball community.
Prayers Pour In for Jordan Scott
For everyone who knew Jordan, it’s still hard to believe that the 19-year-old hooper is gone. Head coach Ben Wierzba reflected on the impact she made on the team in such a short time, saying her personality quickly made her a meaningful part of the program.
“Jordan was a meaningful part of the family, and her presence, personality, and spirit made an impact on all of us,” Wierzba said. “Our hearts are broken for her family and especially for Jayden. Jordan will always be a part of the Evansville Women’s Basketball Program.”
Purdue women’s basketball head coach Katie Gearlds was also heartbroken by the news of Scott’s passing, sharing her condolences with the Scott family and everyone at Evansville.
“Heartbroken,” she wrote on X. “Our Purdue family sends our condolences, thoughts and prayers to the Scott family and everyone at Evansville. 💜🙏💜”
Luke Scheidecker, the head coach of Missouri Western State University who also coached Scott at the AAU level, was devastated to hear the news.
“We are devastated by the news of Jordan’s passing. Jordan was an incredible kid who had an incredibly bright future ahead of her,” he wrote on X. “We were blessed to coach Jordan for three years of AAU. We loved Jordan and love the Scott family. We are heartbroken over a life lost too soon. Please keep Mario, Amy, and Jayden, as well as all of her family and friends, in your prayers.”
Scott had so much of her life and basketball journey still ahead of her, making her loss all the more heartbreaking. The sports world mourns her loss. RIP, Jordan.