Q&A: Rickea Jackson talks 'iconic' fashion, NFL boyfriend
On game day, it's hard not to notice Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson. The Detroit native slays the proverbial WNBA runway with head-turning outfits and also lights it up on the court.
Jackson, who's in her second season with the Sparks, was drafted No. 4 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft and made the All-Rookie Team after a very solid first year as a pro. However, the former Tennessee Lady Volunteer is no stranger to accolades. Before joining the league, she earned two All-SEC First Team honors, an All-SEC Second Team nod and was on the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2020.
As she moves into the next year of her WNBA career, Jackson continues to build on her basketball prowess, but she's also focused on elevating her fashion A-game. A unique but personal style is important to the Sparks forward ― Jackson's worn everything from an innovative fabric shield to fuzzy bear boots ― and she fully takes advantage of any opportunity to show it off.
"The tunnel walk is my favorite pregame ritual," Jackson told For The Win while promoting her partnership with Cheez-It and stylist Brittany Hampton. For The Win recently chatted with Jackson about her top-tier outfits, NFL boyfriend James Pearce Jr. and her hysterical TikTok videos with Sparks rookie Sania Feagin.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
If you could define your style in one word, what would it be?
I would have to say iconic.
What does iconic mean to you?
I feel like it just means being who you are. I feel like it's subjective. I feel like many things can be sought out as iconic, but just not being afraid to take risks. I wore fur boots, you know. That's not everyone's style, like things of that nature ― thigh-high fur boots.
So, I feel like just being who you are. That's what's iconic. It's against objective, but it's what you make it. I feel like fashion isn't just a one-dimensional thing. Again, it's what you make it, what you feel comfortable in, and it's just if it fits you, it fits you.
What did your fashion at the 2024 WNBA Draft say about you?
You can be multiple things. ... You don't have to just be placed in a box. You don't have to go with what's the norm. You can be different. You can set trends. You can be the first of something. I feel like that's what my look truly gave.
I feel like it gave Detroit Princess on the orange carpet, and then at the draft, it gave WNBA draft. I definitely just wanted to tend to, you know, where I grew up, but also where I am now. I feel like it's just both of those in one.
What did you work on during your offseason that you want to bring into year two?
I would definitely have to say being more confident shooting the three. Focusing on my defense as well. I feel like, of course, a player wants to get better at everything. I personally want to sharpen every tool in my toolbox, but tightening up my handle, my 3-point shooting and my defense were the main things I was really honing in on.
During Unrivaled, having trainers, having practice, playing games ― that was really good for the people that were there because it's like we still get to play basketball. We still get to be accessible to these fans, and I feel like that's very important, and it's fun. I feel like being able to do that was amazing.
What's the most underrated part of your game?
I feel like I've gotten better at defense. I really do. I feel like I lock in, and I don't mind guarding the best player on the opposing team.
Outside of you, who is the best-dressed in the WNBA?
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A person that's been stepping and I feel like she's slept on is Olivia Nelson-Ododa. She has been coming with the fits. I think she came out with her own clothing line. She's been eating down.
I be looking at her on Twitter, like, "OK, Olivia!" I feel like she's so slept on. Her fits have been amazing, and her brand's so cute. I might have to purchase from there.
Who's the brains behind the TikTok videos between you and Sparks rookie Sania Feagin?
We will teach the rest of them one day 😭 #fyp #wnba #laspark
It's definitely a joint effort. Sania will see something. She'll send it to me. Or I'll see something, I'll send it to her. And sometimes, we just learn it on the fly. We'll just be on TikTok, like, "Let's just do this." So it's been so fun to get to know Sania. Of course, I played against her at Tennessee, but we've always kept in touch. We've always been pretty cool, but I feel like just having her as my rookie has been amazing.
She's worked so hard, is an amazing person, and I just can't wait to continue to see how she grows. She's been doing an amazing job. She's a great teammate. Very vocal. Some rookies aren't always the most vocal, but she's the one that has a very strong basketball IQ. She knows what she's talking about. Very confident player. Just getting close with her has been pretty fun. We're always saying the same thing at the same time, and we look at each other like, "Bro, get out of my head."
What did you think about Atlanta Falcons rookie James Pearce Jr. saying you were his favorite athlete?
It was cute that he said that. People are in the comments taking it the wrong way. They were saying, "Right now, who's your favorite athlete?" But I love him so much.
What's your favorite part of his game?
I would just have to say the speed that he comes off the edge with. He's very intimidating. He's huge. He's put on some good weight for his position, and his mindset as well. The way that he looks at things, his smartness on the field ― it doesn't go unnoticed ... how he's able to come off the edge as quickly as he does, and of course, get sacks.
I'm just excited to watch how he grows in the league as a rookie and be there every step of the way. But I'm just so proud of him and how far he's come, knowing his journey. But I feel like I know the Atlanta Falcons have a great one on their hands.
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