Rickea Jackson Bio
Rickea Velece Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Breeze of Unrivaled. Born on March 16, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan, she has emerged as one of the most promising young forwards in the women’s game. Standing 6 feet 2 inches tall, she combines perimeter scoring with physical interior play and has represented the United States in international competition.
After a decorated high school and college career, Jackson was selected as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft by the Los Angeles Sparks. Her rookie campaign established her as a long-term building block for the franchise, and her involvement with Unrivaled reflects her growing profile across the sport.
Early Life and Background
Rickea Velece Jackson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, where she attended Detroit Edison Public School Academy. She quickly developed into the cornerstone of the girls’ basketball program and led her team to three consecutive Class C state championships. Her high school résumé turned her into one of the most celebrated recruits in Michigan history.
As a senior, Jackson averaged 22 points and 6.5 rebounds per game, earning Michigan Miss Basketball honors and a selection to both the McDonald’s All-American Game and the Jordan Brand Classic. She was also named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year for a second time. When she graduated, Jackson left Detroit Edison as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,771 points, and Detroit Free Press writer Mick McCabe later called her the greatest girls’ high school player in state history.
Rated as a five-star recruit and the fifth-best player in her class by ESPN, Jackson chose to play college basketball at Mississippi State over offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Rutgers, Ohio State and Louisville. Her decision reflected her comfort with the Bulldogs’ style of play and her relationship with the coaching staff.
Path to Basketball
Jackson’s national profile grew rapidly during her prep career, but her path to the WNBA truly began with her freshman year at Mississippi State. On February 20, 2020, she scored a freshman season-high 34 points in a 92–85 overtime win against Auburn, signaling her ability to take over games at the college level. She finished her first year averaging 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds per game and was named to the All-SEC second team and the SEC All-Freshman Team.
Her second and third seasons at Mississippi State cemented her status as one of the conference’s top scorers. Jackson posted a career-high 40 points in a 102–55 win over McNeese State on December 1, 2021, and was averaging an SEC-best 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds per game during her junior year when she entered the transfer portal. On March 22, 2022, she announced that she would finish her college career at Tennessee.
Rickea Jackson Career
Early Career (2019–2024)
Before turning professional, Jackson built a résumé that included both college production and international experience. She represented the United States at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Mongolia, where she helped her team win a gold medal and was named to the all-tournament team. That same summer, she played for Team USA at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Italy, leading the tournament with 22.2 points per game and winning a silver medal.
At Tennessee, Jackson averaged 19.2 points and 6.1 rebounds per game as a senior and was a two-time first-team All-SEC selection. Her success at the college level, combined with her prior international medals, positioned her as a top prospect heading into the 2024 WNBA draft.
WNBA Breakthrough (2024)
On April 15, 2024, Jackson was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, with the pick originally belonging to the Seattle Storm. She made her professional debut on May 15, scoring 7 points in 18 minutes off the bench against the Atlanta Dream, and earned her first start on May 28 in a win over the Indiana Fever. From that point forward, she remained a fixture in the starting lineup as her role expanded.
Her most explosive performance came on August 25, 2024, when she recorded 25 points, 4 assists, 3 blocks and 6 made three-pointers in a narrow loss to the Dallas Wings, setting several personal bests in a single game. She finished her rookie season having played in all 40 regular-season games, starting 35, and averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists. Her efforts earned her a place on the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team.
Los Angeles Sparks Era (2024–Present)
Despite Jackson’s strong individual debut, the Sparks were hampered by injuries throughout her rookie season and finished with only 8 wins, placing 12th in the league standings. The franchise has continued to build around her as a foundational piece for its next competitive cycle. Off the floor, Jackson became the first WNBA player to sign a shoe deal with Skechers in July 2024, a milestone partnership for both her and the brand.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson brings a versatile offensive skill set to the Sparks, capable of scoring from the perimeter with her three-point shot while also operating effectively around the rim. Her length, mobility and willingness to mix inside and outside scoring allow her to fit comfortably as a modern forward. She also shows a competitive edge, demonstrated by the intensity she brings to every possession.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Jackson’s rookie year came on September 17, 2024, when she was involved in a confrontation with Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner that led to both players being ejected. She also set career highs of 25 points and 6 made three-pointers in a single game against Dallas, performances that underscored her upside as a scorer.
Rickea Jackson Career Wins
Jackson’s competitive record spans high school championships, international medals and an All-Rookie selection in the WNBA. While her professional trophy case is still in its early stages, she has already collected gold at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup and silver medals at the 2019 Summer Universiade and the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup, where she earned all-tournament honors.
WNBA Highlights
Jackson’s WNBA resume is anchored by her selection to the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team after averaging 13.4 points per game in her first professional season. She started 35 of 40 games for the Sparks and produced a 25-point outburst against the Dallas Wings that established her single-game scoring record at the professional level.
Other Wins & Performances
At the international level, Jackson helped the United States capture gold at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup and earned a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup while leading her team in scoring. She was also named to the all-tournament team at both events, signaling her impact on the global stage.
Rickea Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and credits her family roots in the city with shaping her competitive drive. Her path from Detroit Edison Public School Academy to the WNBA reflects the basketball culture of her hometown and the support system around her during her formative years.
Personal Life
Rickea and fellow WNBA player Betnijah Laney-Hamilton share a godmother, Debra Walker, who played alongside Laney-Hamilton’s mother Yolanda on the historic Cheyney State Lady Wolves basketball team. In July 2024, Jackson became the first WNBA player to sign a shoe deal with Skechers, further highlighting her growing marketability off the court.
2025 Season Performance
During the 2025 season, Jackson continued to build on her rookie foundation as a central figure in the Sparks’ long-term plans. She remains one of the team’s primary scoring options, and her development into a more consistent three-point threat has remained a focal point for the coaching staff. Her combination of size, skill and shooting touch makes her a natural fit for the modern style of play the franchise is pursuing.
On September 3, 2024, it was announced that Jackson would appear in the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a new women’s 3-on-3 basketball league founded by Napheesa Collier and Breanna Stewart. She played for Mist BC during the 2025 Unrivaled season and, on November 5, 2025, was drafted by Breeze BC for the 2026 season, further broadening her competitive calendar.