Lady Vols forward Rickea Jackson has been drafted No. 4 overall in the WNBA Draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. This will add another Lady Vol in the WNBA with an opportunity to help the Sparks get back into the playoffs.
Los Angeles has a strong foundation and has revamped its front office. Its focus is on going after some of the best talent in the WNBA and through the draft to get the Sparks back to their winning ways. Sparks fans are stoked to have the Lady Vols forward heading to LA ahead of the 2024 season.
The Sparks' new frontcourt will feature Jackson teaming up with Stanford superstar forward Cameron Brink. Those two additions alone have Sparks fans excited to get the season started a few weeks early.
Cameron, Rickea Jackson, Zia Cooke, Aari. Oh we cooking over here @LASparks 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
— 8:24 (@Luke4__) April 16, 2024
Two incredible picks for the LA Sparks. Adding Rickea Jackson is lethal. She’s so good. Had the opportunity to cover her this season against South Carolina. She CONSTANTLY shows up…and Dawn called her a pro THEN!!!! #WNBADraft
— Angel Gray (@Angel_Gray1) April 16, 2024
Sparks fans like both picks, which could both be picks that help the Sparks get back into the playoffs for the first time in four years. I don't know how much either will impact the overall season for the Sparks, but fans are excited to have both in purple and gold.
Rickea Jackson’s mixtape is nice! 6’2 take you off the dribble! #WNBADraft
— TONY MUI (@MrTonyMui) April 16, 2024
Rickea Jackson is headed to the Sparks
— Grace (@gracesporttakes) April 16, 2024
and she’s already got the skill level to be a great WNBA player as she’s a bucket.
Cameron Brink on the Sparks too should be fun to watch.
As Grace noted, Jackson is a walking bucket. She's versatile, aggressive, and tough. Brink and Jackson bring much-needed scoring versatility as they can score all over the court. Jackson isn't afraid to get her hands dirty in the paint or score beyond the three-point line.
The LA SPARKS DRAFTED Rickea Jackson!!! I’m super excited
— SilentPoet (@Phinsanity5) April 16, 2024
LA Sparks got Rickea Jackson and Cameron Brinks!?? Yeaaaa they looking solid already
— 🤙🏾Tre In Ibiza🤙🏾 (@Tre2Daye) April 16, 2024
The Lady Vols weren't national championship contenders, and Rickea Jackson didn't make national headlines for record-breaking play, but she will be one of the best rookies in the WNBA this year, and Sparks fans are recognizing that on draft night.
The WNBA regular season starts on Tuesday, May 14, but the Sparks won't begin their season until the following day, when the Atlanta Dream make the trip to Long Beach to take on the Sparks.