WNBA: Rickea Jackson amongst must-add gamers in fantasy basketball

For the Los Angeles Sparks, the 2024 WNBA season has been extra about participant improvement than successful video games. Los Angeles has been in rebuilding mode, and whereas that doesn’t imply the Sparks don’t have expertise on their roster, it does imply they’ll method the final month of the season otherwise than groups in playoff rivalry.

Savvy fantasy basketball house owners know that conditions like these are the place youthful gamers are inclined to get extra shine. Within the Sparks’ case, 2024 No. 2 total draft decide Cameron Brink had her rookie season reduce quick by a knee damage, however Rickea Jackson, who the Sparks chosen at No. 4 total, has gotten higher and higher because the 12 months goes on—and if she’s someway obtainable in your fantasy league, you must contemplate selecting her up.

Since Brink was injured in mid-June, Jackson’s position has expanded, and he or she’s appeared extra just like the versatile scoring ahead she was in school. In her final 10 video games, Jackson is averaging 15.3 factors (up from 11.9 on the season) on 13 subject aim makes an attempt (up from 9.9), and he or she’s enjoying quite a bit, too, averaging 32.7 minutes in that span.

That’s good for twenty-four fantasy factors per recreation in customary ESPN leagues, and whereas Jackson’s relative lack of defensive impression up to now (0.5 steals and 0.2 blocks per recreation on the season) has saved her from actually breaking out as a must-roster participant, her position on this 12 months’s Sparks staff appears solidified; she’s an enormous a part of the staff’s future, and so they need her to get as many reps as doable down the stretch.

Cardoso discovering her footing in Chicago

Chicago Sky middle Kamilla Cardoso is one other rookie who’s been spectacular these days, and whereas we already talked about her as a possible fantasy addition again in June, she’s appeared like a very completely different participant because the Olympic break. In these 4 video games, Cardoso is averaging 13.8 factors, 7.3 rebounds and 1.8 defensive stats, which is equal to 26.3 fantasy factors per recreation.

Photograph by Dylan Goodman/NBAE by way of Getty Pictures

What’s been most encouraging about Cardoso’s play as of late, nonetheless, is her offensive effectivity. She’s shot an astounding 71.4 % from the sector because the break (up significantly from 46.2 % earlier than the break), a quantity that’s much more spectacular contemplating she’s performed towards Brittney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury twice. Whereas subject aim proportion could or could not impression participant scoring in your fantasy league, relying on its settings, Cardoso’s soar in effectivity is a superb signal for her adjusting to the physicality of the WNBA, and there’s no motive why the 6-foot-7 middle shouldn’t be a high-efficiency scorer as soon as she will get totally acclimated.

Foul bother continues to be Cardoso’s greatest enemy—for in addition to she’s performed because the Olympic break, she’s totaled 19 fouls in these 4 video games—however such is to be anticipated from a rookie middle. The Sky have been extra intentional about getting Cardoso the ball within the paint and he or she’s been higher at ending these performs, and he or she’s arrange for a powerful end to her rookie marketing campaign as a full-time starter.

Hillmon filling a void in Atlanta

If you happen to’re enjoying in a deeper fantasy leagues, there received’t be as many gamers on the waiver wire, and potential provides and drops received’t be as apparent. If you end up in a streaming scenario, although, contemplate selecting up Hillmon if she’s obtainable. The third-year ahead’s recreation actually isn’t flashy, and at simply 3.3 subject aim makes an attempt per recreation, she received’t stand out as a make-or-break fantasy participant.

Hillmon has, nonetheless, performed heavy minutes in 4 video games because the Olympic break (31.4 per recreation), partially on account of an damage to Cheyenne Parker-Tyus, who can be out for a minimum of the following two weeks with an ankle damage. The frontcourt pairing of Parker-Tyus and Tina Charles hasn’t labored in addition to the Dream had hoped, which had saved Hillmon within the image as a low-usage reserve. Since Parker-Tyus obtained injured, Hillmon hasn’t had a lot competitors for the beginning position, as fellow ahead Nia Coffey has had a disappointing season and Lorela Cubaj hardly ever cracks double-digit minutes for Atlanta.

Photograph by Wealthy von Biberstein/Icon Sportswire by way of Getty Pictures

To be clear, Charles would be the one who advantages essentially the most statistically. Hillmon’s willingness to play with out the basketball is a part of what appeals to Dream head coach Tanisha Wright, and he or she received’t be taking many pictures away from Atlanta’s higher-usage gamers. It’s that very same complementary issue that makes her a straightforward wager for constant minutes, although, and this late within the season when accidents are beginning to pile up, typically that’s all a fantasy staff can realistically ask for.

For the needs of this text, “fantasy factors” refer to plain ESPN fantasy league scoring, through which factors, 3-pointers, rebounds and assists are every price one fantasy level and steals and blocks are every price two fantasy factors. All participant and staff stats for the 2024 season are present by way of August 24.