Takiyah Jackson was a standout basketball and track and field athlete in Seattle, leaving a lasting mark at both Lakeside and Franklin High Schools. During her first three years at Lakeside, she helped the team achieve an 86–1 record and win two Class AA State Championships. A 6-foot forward, she was known for her clutch performances, including a game-winning shot in the state title game as a freshman. As a junior, she averaged nearly 18 points, nine rebounds, and four steals per game while leading Lakeside to a perfect 29–0 record and another state title. That same year, she excelled in track and field, finishing as the Class AA State triple jump runner-up and placing fourth in the 100-meter hurdles.

For her senior year, Jackson transferred to Franklin High School, where she continued to dominate on the basketball court. She averaged 22.2 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, and three steals per game, earning first-team All-American honors and another state final appearance. She completed her high school career with 2,024 points, 950 rebounds, and 465 steals, receiving recognition on the Star Times team in 1994 and 1995, the Seattle Times City Female Prep Athlete of the Year award in 1994, and Fifth-Team All-America honors from Street & Smith magazine in 1993.

A strong student as well as an athlete, Jackson maintained a 3.5 GPA and became one of the top recruits in the country. She signed with UCLA, where she faced significant challenges, including reconstructive surgery following an ACL tear in 1995 and another ACL injury later in her career. Despite these setbacks, she persevered, competed for four seasons with the Bruins, and finished her senior season appearing in 26 games and scoring 94 points.

Takiyah Jackson’s combination of talent, resilience, and leadership left a lasting legacy in Washington high school athletics, inspiring teammates and future generations of student-athletes.