When Rickea Jackson ended her career with Lady Vols basketball, she didn’t know what the draft process would look like.
“I thought you just show up to draft day and you kind of get drafted,” Jackson said. “I didn’t know if they even speak to you prior to the draft. Really crazy of me.”
Now, with the process complete, Jackson looks forward to a career beginning in Los Angeles, as the Sparks selected her with the fourth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She will play alongside Rae Burrell, who signed a new contract during the offseason.
Jackson is ready for the jump from the college game to professional basketball. She made a big transition five years ago and is ready to do so again.
“Probably the pace of the game,” Jackson said. “I feel like high school to college, it was a different pace, so I feel like it’s probably going to be that same thing in the league, going up against the world’s best players. I feel like that’s going to be pretty tough. But I’m excited for the challenge.”
Tennessee is no stranger to players making the leap to the WNBA. Jackson is the 10th Lady Vol to be taken in the top five of the WNBA Draft and the fourth first-round pick in the last four seasons.
Lady Vol greats frequently come back to Knoxville, such as Candace Parker and Tamika Catchings. Both players excelled in college before taking a big step in the WNBA.
“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,” Jackson said. “Jordan texted me how much she was proud of me, texted me a little bit about the process. Tamika and I speak every now and then.”
Two picks before Jackson, the Sparks selected Stanford’s Cameron Brink with the No. 2 overall selection. The two plan on forming a strong backcourt in Los Angeles after the departure of Nneka Ogwumike in free agency.
Jackson has the opportunity to make an immediate impact on the Sparks because of how many minutes are available on the young team.
“I’m so excited to play with Cam,” Jackson said. “We’re both competitive. We’re young. We’re feisty but we’re still going to bring that game offensively and defensively. I know if I get beat off the dribble, Cam is swatting it into the second row.”
Jackson has played several different positions for the Lady Vols, doing whatever she can to help Tennessee win. She improved her rebounding last season, going from 6.1 rebounds to 8.2 in her 2023-24 campaign.
The 6-foot-2 forward’s game translates to the pro level in her ability to create good shots and knock them down. Because of her quickness, the 6-foot-2 forward can make space for herself.
“I’m excited to bring my versatility, play at any position, taking advantage of where there’s a small guard on me or a bigger, slower player,” Jackson said. “I’m excited about that, and then I just want to work on getting in tip-top shape after the injury. My conditioning was in the game trying to get back.”
The Sparks are one of the most tradition-rich franchises in the league. Los Angeles has won three WNBA championships, including the Parker-led title run in 2016. Coming into 2024, the Sparks have missed the playoffs in three consecutive seasons, the longest streak in franchise history.
Los Angeles is hungry to bring back the success they had with Ogwumike and Parker in the frontcourt. As they reload with Brink and Jackson, the Sparks are looking toward a strong future.
“I know they weren’t where they wanted to be,” Jackson said. “Championships, everyone wants a championship. I feel like I’m just excited to be a part of this journey. I feel like we’re going to be really good, just looking at the roster itself. I’m just excited.”