Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson shared a humorous insight following her victory in the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game. Team Bonds managed to secure a late victory against Team Rice, winning 66-55 during Friday night’s star-studded event. Jackson contributed 16 points as she gears up for a highly anticipated season with the Sparks, who recently made waves by trading for superstar point guard Kelsey Plum.
The franchise is aiming to break a four-year postseason drought. Friday presented a valuable opportunity for Jackson to fine-tune her shooting. In a viral postgame interview, the second-year player amusingly explained her increase in intensity as the game progressed (link).
Los Angeles’ promising rookie pair from the previous season seeks to avoid sophomore slumps
Jackson, selected fourth overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft out of Tennessee, had an impressive rookie campaign. The Detroit native averaged 13.9 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists over 40 games. Although the Sparks struggled with an 8-32 record, much of that was attributed to a young, rebuilding roster and injuries. Notably, the second overall pick, Cameron Brink, suffered an ACL tear just 15 games into the season, cutting short her promising debut.
As Brink and Jackson prepare to hit the court together again, they hope to form one of the WNBA’s most formidable frontcourts. Their playing styles mesh well, with Jackson focused on offense and Brink providing elite defense. Nevertheless, despite the offseason influx of talent, the Sparks may face a transitional year ahead in 2025.
The franchise appointed former Utah women’s basketball head coach Lynne Roberts during the offseason. Roberts brings over two decades of collegiate coaching experience, yet this will mark her inaugural season coaching at the professional level. Still, Plum appears optimistic about her new team’s prospects this season.
Ultimately, the key takeaway is that Rickea Jackson emerged from the NBA Celebrity All-Star Game both happy and healthy. The young talent looks poised for another career leap as she and Cameron Brink strive to restore this historic franchise to its former glory.
Image Source: The Official Page Of The Los Angeles Sparks @ YouTube
