Rickea Jackson Bio
Rickea Velece Jackson is an American professional basketball player for the Chicago Sky of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and for the Breeze of Unrivaled. She played college basketball at Tennessee and Mississippi State. A 6 ft 2 in small forward, Jackson was the fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft and quickly established herself as one of the league’s most promising young scorers. She has also represented the United States in international competition, including AmeriCup and Universiade events.
Early Life and Background
Rickea Velece Jackson was born on March 16, 2001, in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in the city and attended Detroit Edison Public School Academy, where she starred on the basketball court. As a senior, Jackson averaged 22 points and 6.5 rebounds per game and led her program to three consecutive Class C state titles. Her high school dominance earned her Michigan Miss Basketball honors, a spot in the McDonald’s All-American Game, and selection to the Jordan Brand Classic.
Jackson was named Michigan Gatorade Player of the Year twice and left Detroit Edison as the program’s all-time leading scorer with 1,771 points. Mick McCabe of the Detroit Free Press called her the greatest girls high school player in Michigan history. Rated a five-star recruit and the fifth-best player in her class by ESPN, she chose Mississippi State over offers from South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Rutgers, Ohio State, and Louisville.
Path to Basketball
Jackson arrived at Mississippi State as one of the most decorated recruits in program history and immediately delivered. On February 20, 2020, she scored a freshman season-high 34 points in a 92–85 overtime win against Auburn. She averaged 15.1 points and 5.1 rebounds that year, earning second-team All-SEC and SEC All-Freshman honors, along with the Gillom Trophy as Mississippi’s top women’s college player.
As a sophomore, Jackson averaged 14.9 points and 4.4 rebounds and scored a career-high 40 points in a 102–55 win over McNeese State on December 1, 2021. In January 2022, she entered the transfer portal after averaging an SEC-best 20.3 points and 6.7 rebounds as a junior. On March 22, 2022, Jackson announced she would transfer to Tennessee, where she closed her college career with two more All-SEC selections.
Rickea Jackson Career
Early Career (2019–2023)
Jackson’s college career began at Mississippi State, where she developed into one of the SEC’s most productive scorers across three seasons. She earned All-SEC and All-Freshman recognition in 2020 and continued to expand her game as a sophomore and junior, posting multiple 30-point performances and a 40-point career high.
At Tennessee, Jackson produced two more outstanding seasons, averaging 19.2 points and 6.1 rebounds as a senior and 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds in her fifth year. She set the SEC tournament single-game scoring record with 34 points against Kentucky in March 2023. She repeated as a first-team All-SEC selection in her final college season.
WNBA Breakthrough (2024)
On April 15, 2024, Rickea Velece Jackson was selected by the Los Angeles Sparks as the fourth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft. She made her WNBA debut on May 15 against the Atlanta Dream, scoring 7 points in 18 minutes off the bench. She earned her first start on May 28 against the Indiana Fever, posting 12 points in 23 minutes, and remained in the starting lineup for the rest of the season.
Her role grew throughout her rookie year, highlighted by a 25-point, 6-three-pointer performance against the Dallas Wings on August 25. On September 17, she was ejected alongside Brittney Griner after a confrontation with the Phoenix Mercury. Jackson played all 40 regular-season games, started 35, and averaged 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.5 assists, earning a spot on the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team.
Chicago Sky Era (2026–Present)
In 2026, Jackson was traded to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Ariel Atkins, marking a new chapter in her professional career. The move paired her with a Chicago Sky franchise looking to build around young talent. Jackson continued to be recognized as one of the league’s rising scorers as she transitioned into a larger offensive role.
Driving Style and Strengths
Jackson is a versatile wing scorer who combines size, athleticism, and perimeter shooting. Her length and rebounding instincts allow her to impact games on both ends of the floor. She has shown consistent growth as a three-point shooter and a reliable finisher around the rim, making her a matchup problem for opposing defenders.
Notable Events and Milestones
Jackson’s rookie milestones included a 25-point, six-three-pointer outburst against Dallas and an All-Rookie Team selection. She also became the first WNBA player to sign a shoe deal with Skechers in July 2024. Her high school scoring record and SEC tournament scoring mark remain signature accomplishments of her career.
Rickea Jackson Career Wins
Rickea Velece Jackson has earned individual recognition across multiple levels of basketball, including college, professional, and international play. Her career highlights include All-SEC selections, a Gillom Trophy, and a WNBA All-Rookie nod, complemented by international silver and gold medals.
College Highlights
Across her time at Mississippi State and Tennessee, Jackson was a three-time All-SEC selection, including two first-team honors in 2023 and 2024. She won the Gillom Trophy in 2020 and set the SEC tournament single-game scoring record with 34 points against Kentucky in 2023. Her senior season averages of 19.2 points and her fifth-year averages of 20.2 points and 8.2 rebounds underscored her consistency.
Other Wins and Performances
Jackson represented the United States at the 2019 Summer Universiade in Italy, where she led the tournament in scoring and won a silver medal. She also won silver at the 2023 FIBA Women’s AmeriCup in Mexico, earning all-tournament honors, and helped Team USA claim gold at the 2019 FIBA 3×3 U18 World Cup in Mongolia. She was also named Michigan Miss Basketball in 2019.
Rickea Jackson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Jackson grew up in Detroit, Michigan, and developed her game in the city’s grassroots basketball culture. She attended Detroit Edison Public School Academy, where she became the program’s all-time leading scorer.
Personal Life
Rickea Velece Jackson shares a godmother, Debra Walker, with fellow WNBA player Betnijah Laney-Hamilton. Walker played alongside Laney-Hamilton’s mother Yolanda on the historic Cheyney State Lady Wolves basketball team. In July 2024, Jackson became the first WNBA player to sign a shoe deal with Skechers.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Rickea Velece Jackson continued to build on her strong rookie campaign with the Los Angeles Sparks. Her scoring and rebounding averages remained among the team’s best, and she served as a consistent starter and perimeter threat. Despite the Sparks’ struggles with injuries, Jackson’s individual production highlighted her growth into a featured offensive option.
Jackson also played in the 2025 Unrivaled season as a member of Mist BC, gaining additional high-level 3-on-3 experience during the WNBA offseason. Her performance in Unrivaled further demonstrated her scoring versatility and competitive drive.
Following the 2025 season, Jackson was traded to the Chicago Sky in exchange for Ariel Atkins and was also drafted by Breeze BC for the 2026 Unrivaled season. These moves positioned her for an expanded leadership role and a fresh opportunity to compete for playoff contention.
