The University of Evansville community is mourning the heartbreaking loss of women’s basketball student-athlete Jordan Scott.
Evansville announced Monday that Scott, a sophomore member of the Purple Aces women’s basketball program, died following a motor vehicle accident in Warrick County. The news sent shockwaves through the Evansville athletic department, where Scott had only recently begun the next chapter of her basketball career.
“Our hearts are broken,” Evansville head women’s basketball coach Ben Wierzba said in a statement shared following Scott’s death.
A Young Basketball Player Beginning Her Evansville Journey
Scott, a Newburgh, Indiana native and Castle High School graduate, transferred to Evansville after playing her freshman season at Wabash Valley College.
During the 2025-26 season at Wabash Valley, Scott appeared in 27 games and started 26. She averaged 12.5 points, 3.0 assists and 2.3 steals per game, scoring in double figures 18 times and recording three 20-point performances.
Evansville announced Scott as one of its newcomers for the 2026-27 season in June, with Wierzba praising her ability to score in multiple ways and saying she would provide a spark to the Purple Aces’ backcourt.
Scott’s basketball résumé also included a standout career at Castle High School, where she was a two-time First Team All-Southern Indiana Athletic Conference selection.
A Family Connection That Made the Loss Even More Devastating
Scott’s connection to the Evansville program went beyond her own place on the roster.
Her younger sister, Jayden Scott, is also a member of the Purple Aces women’s basketball team. Jayden is a freshman guard who also played at Castle High School. Both sisters were part of Evansville’s 2026-27 roster.
That family connection has made an already devastating loss particularly difficult for the Purple Aces.
Evansville said its thoughts are with Jordan’s parents, Mario and Amy, her sister Jayden, along with her family, friends, teammates, coaches and everyone who knew her.
What Happened
According to 14 News, Scott had taken a friend home late Sunday night and was traveling through an unfamiliar area when her vehicle struck a pole near Boonville. She was the only person in the vehicle, according to authorities.
The crash occurred in Warrick County, and authorities are investigating the circumstances surrounding the accident.
Because the investigation remains ongoing, additional details about the crash may emerge as authorities complete their work.
Remembering Jordan Scott
For Evansville, Scott’s death represents much more than the loss of a basketball player.
She was a daughter, sister, teammate, friend and student who had just begun building her future at the university.
She had also just begun a new chapter on the court.
After transferring home to Evansville, Scott was expected to contribute to a Purple Aces team preparing for the 2026-27 season. Evansville’s schedule was set to begin with an exhibition against IU East on October 25 before the regular season opened November 3 at DePaul.
Instead, the Purple Aces are now preparing to move forward without one of their own.
“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.”
The University of Evansville has made counseling and support resources available to students and members of the campus community affected by Scott’s death.
As the Purple Aces, the Evansville community and Scott’s hometown of Newburgh mourn, the focus now turns toward remembering the young woman behind the uniform — a talented basketball player whose life was tragically cut short and whose impact will remain with the people who knew her.
Our thoughts are with Mario and Amy Scott, Jayden Scott, the Scott family, Jordan’s teammates, coaches, friends and the entire University of Evansville community during this incredibly difficult time.
