In just two seasons, transfer forward Rickea Jackson has cemented her status as the life and soul of the Tennessee Lady Volunteers women’s basketball team. Her combination of size, skill and off-the-court intangibles are why South Carolina coach Dawn Staley and women’s hoops fans think she could be a top draft pick.
It’s nearly a foregone conclusion that Caitlin Clark will go No.1 overall to the Indiana Fever, but what happens after that is anyone’s guess. With Paige Bueckers returning to UConn, the draft board could go in several directions, including creating a path for Rickea Jackson to be a top-five draft pick. As Dawn Staley mentioned on February 15, following South Carolina’s win over Tennessee, there’s no doubt in her mind that Jackson will go very high.
“Top pick in the WNBA Draft without a doubt,” Staley said. “This year really helped her on both sides of the basketball. She’s defending a lot more. She’s rebounding. I mean, she can score at will, however you want it. She can score, and she did that to us.”
Here are 5 reasons why Rickea Jackson’s WNBA stock continues to rise:
1
The time she's put into finding other ways to score is impressive and will help at the pro level.
(Saul Young/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Since joining Tennessee in 2022, Rickea’s ability to create additional sparks of offense has improved. She’s worked on her 3-point shot (averaging 31.5%) and has improved her free throw shooting to the best it’s ever been in her college career (averaging 77.65%).
2
Rickea is a very patient bucket-getter who creates shots at the right time.
(Brianna Paciorka/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Rickea’s patience in seeing and then creating shots under the basket faster than the defense can react is remarkable. As if that weren’t enough, she has an innate ability to create space in a way that not many college hoopers can.
3
Rickea sees ball. Rickea gets ball.
(Saul Young/USA TODAY NETWORK)
Doing the work in the trenches is how you become a well-rounded player, and Rickea understands that assignment. She’s averaging a career-best 7.9 rebounds this season, and when she’s on the floor, there is no denying that she will do everything in her power to ensure the ball stays with her team.
4
One of the most underrated parts of her game is her no-fear mentality.
(Saul Young/USA TODAY NETWORK)
In November 2023, Jackson and the Lady Vols played against Team USA basketball during their college tour and preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Team USA roster is composed of some of the best players in the WNBA, but that was no matter for Rickea. She held her own, and despite losing, she had 15 points, five rebounds, two steals, and a 50 percent shooting percentage.
Per Cora Hall of the Knoxville News Sentinel, Rickea’s fearlessness is a staple of her game and allows her to not only meet the moment but seize it. Tennessee head coach Kellier Harper also sees it in Jackson:
“It’s easy to say you want it, but can you handle it? And she can play on the biggest stage, and she wants the ball,” Tennessee coach Kellie Harper said. “She wants to take the tough shot, and she has that much confidence in herself. That’s what separates her.”
5
She hates losing. No, seriously. She HATES losing.
Tennessee’s Rickea Jackson (2) is guarded by South Carolina’s Ashlyn Watkins (2) during an NCAA college basketball game on Thursday, February 15, 2024 in Knoxville, Tenn. (Saul Young/USA TODAY NETWORK)
There’s something to be said for how you respond when you win, but also when you lose. When South Carolina played Tennessee on February 15, the game was tied heading into the 4th quarter. South Carolina eventually pulled away, winning 66-55 with some gutsy buckets. When the two teams played on March 3, South Carolina won again, this time 76-68.
In both contests against the No. 1 team in the country, Rickea played her heart out. She had 24 points and seven assists in the first game and 29 points, eight rebounds and three blocks in the second matchup. There’s no doubt that both those losses stung for Tennessee, but Rickea likely took them personally.
According to Cora Hall of Knoxville News Sentinel, Rickea’s head coach, Kellie Harper, explained why it impacts her so much:
“I think you have to hate losing to be elite, and she hates it,” Harper said. “It’s got to eat you up inside. I think it’s OK to be respectful and professional after a loss, I think that’s important, that shows and displays maturity. But I know when we lose, she’s struggling.”
“She hates losing – and all the great ones do.”
