WNBA: Rickea Jackson is exceeding expectations

Rickea Jackson wasn’t even imagined to be a Los Angeles Spark.

Many mock drafts had Jackson going No. 3 to the Chicago Sky, with it assumed that the Sparks then would go for 2 bigs and pair Cameron Brink with somebody like Kamilla Cardoso. Nicely, that is why they’re mock drafts. Ultimately, groups acted in another way, with Chicago deciding on Cardoso and the Sparks taking Jackson at No. 4.

From the second Jackson donned the purple and gold uniform, she exuded confidence. She was grinning from ear to ear on draft night time, made an look on SportsCenter at the beginning of coaching camp and mentioned this new era she’s part of:

It means quite a bit to be on this era. I positively agree this can be a generation-changing class that’s coming into the league. I really feel like we aren’t afraid to be ourselves. We’re coming in as that new feather that’s identical to you might be like, you might be your self, you’ll be able to discuss trash, you might be aggressive, irrespective of who you’re going up in opposition to. So I really feel like that in itself is simply bringing extra viewers as a result of, you realize, we’re simply not afraid to be ourselves.

Photograph by Mike Lawrence/NBAE by way of Getty Photos

At coaching camp, gamers typically could be a bit quiet, and plenty of what you hear is similar outdated participant converse. Phrases like, “simply wish to assist the staff win,” “no matter coach needs me to do,” and “I really like my teammates” are repeated a whole bunch of occasions by dozens of gamers. Nonetheless, Jackson mentioned she wished to be Sixth Girl of the Yr earlier than play even started.

Eleven video games into the season, Jackson could not be capable of accomplish that aim anymore, provided that she’s been a starter for the Sparks for the previous six video games.

One may talk about the Xs and Os of the sport and analyze how effectively Jackson matches into head coach Curt Miller’s system, however merely put, Jackson is a hooper. She is aware of easy methods to exploit a protection utilizing her measurement, footwork and energy. Each night time within the WNBA, you might be dealing with a number of the greatest gamers on the planet, and each night time when Jackson will get a go on the wing, the defender guarding her wants assist to gradual her down.

She drives to the paint with a truck’s energy and energy however strikes with a Corvette’s agility.

“If there’s somebody small on me, I wish to submit them up, but when there’s somebody slower and greater on me, I wish to take them off the dribble,” Jackson mentioned earlier than the Sparks’ latest matchup with the Dallas Wings. “Simply realizing who I’ve on me and studying the protection, that is how I make my strikes. I do not wish to drive issues. So, I simply learn the protection and allow them to dictate my strikes. “

The Sparks seem to have struck gold by drafting the previous Woman Vol, as she’s already established herself as a starter and simply got here off her greatest efficiency of the season, scoring 16 factors and grabbing 5 rebounds within the Sparks’ upset victory over the defending champion Las Vegas Aces this previous weekend.

Jackson has excelled in her rookie season; that a lot is obvious, however even a rookie phenom has room for enchancment. “I really feel like a facet I can enhance on is simply going just a little bit extra more durable on the defensive finish,” Jackson mentioned earlier than enjoying the Wings. “Going for extra boards. I am attempting, however they’re so robust they field me out rather well, however I am nonetheless attempting to go for the boards extra.”

Rebounding has been a weak spot not only for Jackson however the whole Sparks staff. Eleven video games in, they’re averaging 34.5 rebounds per sport, which is the fifth-lowest within the league. If Jackson’s minutes are going to extend, alongside together with her significance to this franchise, that has to get higher.

Photograph by Justin Casterline/Getty Photos

Moreover rebounding, protection is one other side that wants enchancment. There are many Jackson highlights being shared on social media, however good luck discovering a defensive one. The plus aspect is she’s conscious of the work that must be performed on that finish and needs to enhance. “I wish to be higher on the defensive finish. I actually wanna get after it. I wish to be one of many lockdown defenders. Simply proceed to work on that each day.”

The season is a marathon, and an expert profession is an odyssey—a story with ups and downs, twists and turns that can take you to heights unimaginable and struggles indescribable. It is a gorgeous battle. 1 / 4 into her rookie season, Jackson has given followers extra rose petals than thorns, and if she continues to progress ahead, we’ll all be those owing her flowers.