Rickea Jackson, forward for the LA Sparks, opened up about the roots of her distinctive basketball style on Wednesday, sharing insights on her social media. Known for her relentless energy, Jackson attributed her toughness and competitive edge to growing up as the only girl with three brothers, an experience she calls her “origin story.”
A fan‘s tweet perfectly captured Jackson‘s fierce approach, comparing her performance to the intense rivalry of siblings competing daily. Jackson responded by confirming that this environment shaped her resilient attitude on the court.
“Rickea Jackson hoop like she had all brothers growing up, and they just got after it every day!!” the fan tweeted.
“Lolll this is literally my origin story. 3 brothers. Only girl. 21 in the backyard in the snow. No fouls called,” Jackson tweeted.
Since being selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Jackson has become an essential player for the Sparks during their rebuilding phase. Teaming up with veteran Dearica Hamby, she quickly emerged as a top contributor. Last year, she averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game while shooting an efficient 45.6% from the field.
Among rookies, Jackson ranked third in scoring behind only Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, but she stood out by posting a superior field goal percentage compared to both. This season, Jackson has slightly increased her scoring average to 14.3 points per game, alongside 3.3 rebounds and 2.0 assists, with a shooting percentage of 43.2%.
The Influence of Kelsey Plum on Rickea Jackson’s Development
The Sparks strengthened their roster last offseason by acquiring Kelsey Plum from the Las Vegas Aces. The addition of the four-time All-Star significantly enhanced the team’s competitiveness and chemistry, particularly in her connection with Jackson. Their partnership was evident in a recent 100-91 victory over the Indiana Fever, where Plum and Jackson combined for 50 points.
After that game, Jackson spoke at a postgame conference, describing Plum’s impact on her performance and confidence.
“KP (Kelsey Plum) is literally one of the most high IQ players I’ve ever played with,” Jackson said.
“The way that she looks at the game, the things that she tells me within the game or even at practice, it has helped grow my game so much. But also the confidence she’s instilled in me. Each and every game, she’s coming up to me and she doesn’t know how much that means to me.”
Jackson, Plum, and the LA Sparks will next face the Connecticut Sun on Thursday, aiming to build on their recent success and further establish their teamwork.