Jackson ‘honored‘ to be picked by Sparks
NEW YORK – Rickea Jackson, a former Tennessee star, was selected No. 4 overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA draft on Monday at the Brooklyn Academy of Music.
Jackson was one of two lottery picks for the Sparks, and general manager Raegan Pebley called them “foundational” ahead of the draft. Los Angeles picked ex-Stanford star forward Cameron Brink at No. 2.
“I’m honored, honestly, that she said something like that about Cam and I. I truly believe that, as well,” Jackson said. “I feel like what Cam and I bring is just foundational. I feel like we’re willing to put in the work. We’re willing to do whatever as rookies. So I feel like that’s pretty, pretty good, and I’m just excited to get started.”
Jackson is excited to play with Brink, who was the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. She said they’re both young and competitive, and she’s looking forward to Brink’s defense behind her.
“We’re feisty but we’re still going to bring that game offensively and defensively,” Jackson said. “I know if I get beat off the dribble, Cam is swatting it into the second row. So I’m ready for that, too.”
Jackson will join former Tennessee star Rae Burrell in Los Angeles. Burrell was originally drafted by the Sparks in 2022 and signed a two-year deal with the organization in February.
She will also be reunited with former South Carolina guard Zia Cooke. Jackson played AAU with Cooke growing up and the pair took their four official visits together while getting recruited in high school.
Cooke said it was “a dream come true” to play with Jackson again, according to Sparks play-by-play announcer Rahshaun Haylock. Jackson shared her excitement, and said it was “full-circle” for them.
“We lived like an hour away from each other, but that’s my best friend, so we’re still really close,” said Jackson. “But I feel like basketball is just always bringing us back together in the craziest ways ... I’m so excited to play with my girl. I feel like this is just going to reconnect us on that deep level again.”
Jackson is the seventh Tennessee player to be drafted by the Sparks, joining Tennessee legends like Daedra Charles and Candace Parker.
Jackson is the fourth straight firstround draft pick for the Volunteers, and she’s the 46th player from the storied program to be drafted into the WNBA. She’s the 10th top-five pick in program history – only the second since legendary coach Pat Summitt retired.
“To be in the conversation with those greats is so crazy and mind blowing to me,” Jackson said. “I’m just grateful to have Candace come to our games sometimes, have Tamika Catchings, have Jordan Horston in my ear, and they continue to support me.”
Catchings, who was one of the greatest players in league history, and Jackson talk every now and then. Jackson said Catchings is “always pouring” into her.
She calls Catchings her big sister, even though she’s still a bit awestruck she gets to connect with her.
“She doesn’t even know it, but when she came to our practice and she was acting like she knew me, you don’t even know but I was over here like, ‘Girl, you’re Tamika Catchings,’ ” Jackson said.
Jackson surpassed Catchings on the all-time scoring list at Tennessee this season, finishing her college career with 2,261 points. Jackson ranks sixth among Volunteers in career scoring, and she’s only the eighth to eclipse 2,000 career points.