Rickea Velece Jackson, born on March 16, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan, is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Sparks of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). A standout athlete known for her scoring prowess and versatility, Jackson has quickly risen as one of the league’s promising talents.
She played college basketball at Mississippi State University from 2019 to 2022 and later at the University of Tennessee from 2022 to 2024, where she honed her skills as a dominant small forward. Her journey from a high school prodigy to a WNBA rookie has been marked by consistent excellence, earning her recognition as a top draft pick and a key player in the evolving landscape of women’s basketball.
Rickea Jackson parents
Rickea was born to Rickey Jackson Sr. and Caryn Jackson, both of whom have played significant roles in shaping her life and career. Caryn Jackson, a former basketball player, starred at Detroit Murray-Wright High School, where she earned All-State honors, and later played collegiately at the University of Kansas. Her experience as an athlete has been a guiding force for Rickea, providing not only inspiration but also practical insight into the demands of competitive basketball.
Caryn is now an entrepreneur, having founded Court Side Cutie, a consulting firm dedicated to supporting parents of aspiring athletes. Rickey Jackson Sr., while less detailed in public records, has been a supportive figure in Rickea’s life, notably fostering her early interest in riding, though it was her brother who initially sparked her passion for basketball.
Career
Jackson’s basketball career began at Detroit Edison Public School Academy, where she became the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,771 points. She led her team to three consecutive Michigan Class C state championships from 2017 to 2019, averaging 22 points and 6.5 rebounds per game in her senior year. Her high school dominance earned her accolades such as Michigan Miss Basketball and selections to the McDonald’s All-American Game and Jordan Brand Classic. Rated a five-star recruit by ESPN, Jackson chose Mississippi State University, where she played from 2019 to 2022. As a freshman, she averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds, earning second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman honors.
Her sophomore and junior seasons saw continued growth, with a career-high 40 points in a game against McNeese State in 2021. Transferring to Tennessee for her final two college seasons, Jackson elevated her game, averaging 19.6 points and 7 rebounds per game while shooting 54.8% from the field. In 2024, she was selected as the fourth overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA Draft. In her rookie season, she started 35 of 40 games, averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, showcasing her ability to adapt to the professional level. Jackson also joined the inaugural season of Unrivaled, a 3×3 basketball league, in 2025, further expanding her professional footprint.
Accolades
Jackson’s career is decorated with numerous honors reflecting her talent and impact. In high school, she was named Michigan Miss Basketball in 2019, Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year twice, and was selected as a McDonald’s All-American and Jordan Brand Classic participant. At Mississippi State, she earned the Gillom Trophy in 2020 as the top women’s college player in Mississippi, alongside second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman honors.
Her time at Tennessee brought first-team All-SEC recognition in 2023 and 2024, and she was named to the 2021 WBCA All-America Team Honorable Mention. Internationally, Jackson won a gold medal at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup, earning all-tournament team honors, and a silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup. In the WNBA, she was named to the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, cementing her status as one of the league’s top newcomers.