Rickea Jackson has finished her five years of collegiate basketball and is ready for the next phase. She will be participating in the upcoming WNBA draft on April 15 at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in Brooklyn, New York. Iowa’s Caitlin Clark will join her for the draft, alongside Stanford’s Cameron Brink, LSU’s Angel Reese, South Carolina’s Kamilla Cardoso, and others. According to reports, Jackson is among the top 10 prospects in the WNBA. However, many have speculated whether she will be selected as the first pick for the Chicago Sky. 

Chicago has the 3rd overall pick in the draft and will most likely get the athletic forward. Jackson has her family’s basketball genes, her godfather, Wilbert McCormick, was an all-state guard at Detroit Northeastern in 1976. He also starred in Detroit Mercy for Dick Vitale. Debra Walker, her godmother, was a ‘70s all-stater at Detroit Mumford who played for Vivian Stringer at Cheyney State. Moreover, Rickea Jackson’s mother, Caryn Jackson, was an all-state player at Detroit Murray-Wright in 1991 who played for Kansas in college. She has even played a major part in Rickea’s career while selecting the best programs for her.

High School Career and Choosing Mississippi State Bulldogs

Rickea Jackson represented Detroit Edison throughout her high school career. During her senior year, she was a top player in the state of Michigan, ranking among the top ten nationally by ESPNW HoopGurlz Top 100. The Edison School was established in 1998, but Rickea Jackson was the only player at the time with so much potential. She averaged 21.9 points and 10.8 rebounds, with 4.5 assists, 2.3 steals, and 1.6 blocks as a junior. Leading Edison to a second straight Class C state title, she finished her senior career with 3rd consecutive Class C state title. The next decision was pivotal for her, as she had multiple offers on her table.

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Rickea Jackson chose MSU over South Carolina.“The first time on my official visit I had that feeling already,” she said at her commitment ceremony, adding, “I wanted to give the same opportunity to all of the schools. So I waited and took unofficials to South Carolina, Rutgers, and Mississippi State. The second time around, I just knew for a fact that Mississippi State was the place for me.”

She felt comfortable joining MSU over the Gamecocks, who were the No. 1 recruiting class. But that ranking did not matter to her. Caryn, during the commitment ceremony, felt her daughter would be great in no time.

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“I knew she would be good at whatever she decided to do. Once she decided to play basketball, to watch how hard she worked, and when I told her something, how quickly she picked it up, I knew that she would be great”, Jackson’s mother admitted. Her numbers were great, but she then decided to move to another team because of some issues.

Rickea Jackson’s main issue was about playing under 3 different coaches in 3 seasons. Realizing the internal politics wouldn’t change, she decided for herself. Upon entering the transfer portal in January, she led the SEC, scoring 20.3 points per game. On her X handle,  Jackson noted, “First and foremost, I would like to say that my time in Starkville has been absolutely amazing. It was always a dream to play in the SEC, and Hail State gave me that incredible opportunity.”

“I have grown so much as an individual and as a basketball player over the past three years. Starkville became home and I will always be part of the Mississippi State family”, Rickea Jackson mentioned, continuing, “With that being said, I have decided to enter my name into the transfer portal and find a new place to call home. Thanks to everyone who has supported me along the way.”

Choosing Tennessee with her mother’s help, she had offers from Texas and LSU. However, her main reason for selection was the coaches. Apparently, Jackson felt a synergy off the court during her visit, something that she expressed was missing before. Adding to her stance, Rickea Jackson even described the place as perfect.

While the Lady Vols were eliminated in the Round of 32, Jackson posted averages of 29.5 points and 9.5 rebounds on 63.9 shooting in the final two games of her career. She is a natural scorer and is one of, if not the most pro-ready prospects in this draft. Undeniably, a scorer of Rickea Jackson’s caliber might be able to accelerate the rebuild in this new era of sky basketball.

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