Rickea Jackson, the standout from the Lady Vols, was chosen as the fourth overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. This marks the highest draft selection for a Tennessee player since Diamond DeShields in 2018.

Jackson, along with Stanford star forward Cameron Brink, who was selected second overall by the Sparks, was hailed as “foundational” players by general manager Raegan Pebley before the draft.

Jackson expressed her gratitude for the acknowledgment, emphasizing her eagerness to contribute to the team’s foundation and commitment to hard work as a rookie.

Jackson eagerly anticipates teaming up with Brink, the 2024 Naismith Defensive Player of the Year. She noted their shared youth and competitive spirit, expressing excitement about Brink’s defensive prowess behind her.

“We’re feisty but we’re still going to bring that game offensively and defensively,” Jackson affirmed. “I know if I get beat off the dribble, Cam is swatting it into the second row. So I’m ready for that, too.”

In Los Angeles, Jackson will reunite with former Lady Vol Rae Burrell, originally drafted by the Sparks in 2022 and recently signed to a two-year deal with the organization. Additionally, she’ll join forces with former South Carolina guard Zia Cooke, with whom Jackson shared AAU experiences and official recruiting visits during high school.

Reflecting on their reunion, Cooke expressed it was “a dream come true” to play with Jackson again, as reported by Sparks play-by-play announcer Rahshaun Haylock. Jackson echoed the sentiment, describing their connection as “full-circle.”

“We lived like an hour away from each other, but that’s my best friend, so we’re still really close,” Jackson shared. “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 becomes the seventh Tennessee player to join the Sparks, following in the footsteps of Lady Vols legends such as Daedra Charles and Candace Parker.

She continues the tradition of first-round draft picks from the Lady Vols, marking the fourth consecutive selection and the 46th overall from the esteemed program to be drafted into the WNBA.

As the 10th top-five pick in program history and only the second since the retirement of legendary coach Pat Summitt, Jackson expressed her awe at being mentioned alongside such greats.

“It’s so crazy and mind-blowing to me to be in the conversation with those greats,” Jackson remarked. “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.”