The post-scoring, ball-handling and shot-blocking big has been raking in offers recently — Oregon, Baylor, Indiana, Illinois and Boston College are only a handful. Lackey’s skill is matched by few others at her size and age, and she was recently rewarded with a spot in the Team USA U16 AmeriCup tryouts. Lackey was the offensive and defensive anchor for a Benson team that finished third at the Chiles Center back in March. She can step out and hit 15-footers, face up and drive, or back you down and dropstep you to death. She has the foot speed to patrol the paint from all angles and rotate over to deter shots from the weak side. She works best as a play-finisher, but I believe we will get to see even more offensive creation this season, as she will now be one of the older and more experienced players on the championship-hungry Astros.

Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR is having a very impressive start to her Sophomore season with the Astros. Starting off the week against McDaniel, she had 15 points. Then facing off against Ida B. Wells, she scored 24 points. Finishing the week at the showcase showdown vs Jefferson, she lead the team with an impressive 24 points, 15 rebounds, 5 steals and 3 blocks.
Lackey is a driving force behind the Astros and continues to stay consistent as a leader on the team.

Sophomore Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR is playing like Oregon’s top power forward prospect, regardless of class. Lackey has a strong and under control inside game. She battles on the offensive glass, bangs in buckets on the bounce through contact, and has a nice midrange jumper. Lackey led Benson in scoring with 23 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 blocks in a narrow semifinal loss to nationally ranked Etiwanda. She averaged a double-double (13.7 PPG, 10.3 RPG) in the Portland Holiday Classic Diamond bracket.

Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR led the way for the Benson Astros with 20 points, 7 rebounds, and 2 steals. Lackey is a 6’3 sophomore and no stranger to the world of basketball. She’s been working extremely hard in the offseason and grinding 2-3 times daily in training and practices. She understands what it takes to compete at the higher level, and she’s determined to make a huge impact for her team this season.

It’s pretty scary to envision what Lackey might look like as a senior with a fully polished handle and post-up arsenal, but it’s equally remarkable how far along she is as a sophomore. She runs like a gazelle, knows exactly how to use her size to her advantage, and finishes with soft touch through contact. She didn’t make any threes during the jamboree, but she is clearly confident in her jumper and isn’t shy about shooting when left open. Lackey was already first-team all-PIL as a freshman, so don’t be surprised if she ascends to a PIL (or even Oregon Gatorade) Player of the Year level.

Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR is one of the nation’s top players from Benson High School in Portland. As a 6’3” Sophomore, Jayla is making headlines across the country. As a top prospect player, she already has many college offers on the table.
Jayla is a post player, but can run the floor coast to coast like a guard. This is why she shined at Gems in the Gym, and having this ability made it tough for opponents to guard her.
Her shooting range is deep and her consistency to make shots is incredible. As a left handed player, Jayla can truly dominate inside the paint. She’s an outstanding rebounder and tenacious on defense. She may just be one of the strongest, fastest post players, I’ve seen in my 20+ years of coaching/scouting basketball. It will be very exciting to watch her excel and dominate on the court over these next years at Benson.

Benson freshman Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR is a strong presence inside with a soft touch from the midrange to the rim. The 6-foot-3 power forward battles in the paint on both ends, crashes the offensive glass, and is an efficient scorer. Lackey can post up, drive, and hit the turnaround jumper in the paint. She draws an extra defender and can pass out effectively. Lackey can defend the best bigs in the state. She bodies up, protects the paint and the rim, rebounds strong, and pushes the pace with a quick outlet pass. Lackey averaged 11.7 points (shooting 55% from the field), 6.4 rebounds, 1.7 blocks, and 1.5 steals per game and was named to the Portland Interscholastic League First Team her freshman year.

Benson 6-foot-2 freshman Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR is an athletic force on both ends of the court. Lackey is a big target inside, creating points in the paint with the spin for the bucket underneath. She’s got great midrange form pulling up from the baseline, turning around in the middle of the key, or kissing it off the glass on the runner just outside the lane. Lackey occupies the opposing big or draws the double-team to create more action for her teammate Samara Massey inside. She’s heads-up on transition with a quick and decisive outlet pass from a steal or defensive rebound. Lackey protects the rim on defense, getting blocks as a help defender or directly on opposing centers. Lackey did an excellent job battling Oregon’s No. 1-ranked center Mayen Akpan in the paint—holding Akpan to 13 points and 7 rebounds, her personal POA Holiday Classic game low—which contributed to Benson’s win over second-ranked South Medford in the semifinal. Lackey averaged 8.5 points, 7 rebounds, 1.5 assists, and 1 steal in the Platinum bracket at the tournament.

Benson may be losing some senior talent, but they will be in great shape with incoming freshman Jayla Lackey Jayla Lackey 6'3" | PF Benson | 2028 State #65 Nation OR . As a 6’3 lefty with great hands and beautiful touch around the rim, Lackey will be a catch for college coaches in a few years. Lackey also already demonstrates that she is an elite rim protector. She is already sitting on multiple D1 offers from schools like Portland State and UNLV.