After Cameron Brink’s ACL Injury, This WNBA Star Might Threaten Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese’s Rookie of the Year Dominance

Over the years, the WNBA has produced one of the finest rookies. But the competition hasn’t been any tighter in recent times as it has been this time around. An influx of so much talent this year has been able to transform this debate to a whole new level. While many believe that the epicenter of this discussion centers itself around Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark, some opine that there is a dark horse slowly lurking to put her contention in place. The 4th overall pick in the 2024 edition of the WNBA drafts–Rickea Jackson.

Ever since the franchise suffered a major blow in the form of a torn ACL suffered by the former Stanford standout Cameron Brink, the 6 ft 2 in forward has stepped up and risen to the occasion. So much so, that now some observers feel that she can throw her hat in the Rookie Of The Year race.

Is Rickea Jackson a dark horse for the ROY honor?

The NBC Sports’ popular faces Natalie Esquire and Callie Lawson-Freeman recently sat together to evaluate the impact of the newcomers in the league. While the two of them for some time carried forward the common narrative that it’s a “two-woman” race, Esquire quickly pointed towards the fact that there might be another name in this mix. She went on to say, “Rickea was always thought to be the rookie that would translate the best for the WNBA in terms of like all around. She’s supremely talented, she had a WNBA-ready game. There was so much in the beginning, like a push for her to become a starter. Which she is, and she’s been great.” 

Rickea Jackson has featured in a total of 21 games so far this season. Out of these, on 16 occasions, head coach Curt Miller was convinced that she could be a starter. However, it’s her exhibition in the recent two games that has managed to gain a lot of traction. Jackson played a vital hand in ending the 8-game slump of the Sparks by helping them secure a gritty 98-93 overtime win. As it turns out, her 41 minutes on the hardwood produced 14 points while shooting 5 of 17 from the field and 3 of 8 in threes. This was elevated in the Sparks’ losing cause against the Phoenix Mercury. Her valiant effort registered a career-high 22 points for Los Angeles in which she was 47.05% efficient from the field.

It is due to performances like these that Rickea Jackson is turning a lot of heads.

A lot of Sparks’ supporters surmise that Rickea Jackson might have announced her arrival against Western Conference’s current table toppers Minnesota Lynx mid-June. The 23-year-old provided a glimpse of her overall talent with a phenomenal double-double comprising 19 points and 10 rebounds. Offensively, she has been a major asset for the franchise as an average of 25.5 minutes in the middle has made her the second-best performer of the team behind Dearica Hamby. By all accounts, the Sparks won’t be disappointed with her total of 229 points along with being 86-190 from the field. Another area where Jackson comes in handy is the 36% accuracy she provides from the 3-point range and also has 25 assists to her name.

From a defensive standpoint, a tally of 79 rebounds flourishes her as a total package. Anyhow, a heavy toll of 25 turnovers and 40 personal fouls might seem to be a possible gray area. Nonetheless, her 11 steals so far in the league might put some more points in her favor.

After pulling off such noteworthy numbers, it is natural that people will rest more expectations in the absence of Cameron Brink.

What more can Rickea Jackson provide?

LA Sparks’ contest against Phoenix also furthers the fact that Jackson can force fouls. Apart from showcasing it against the likes of Brittney Griner, Kahleah Copper and Natasha Cloud, cream of the crop in the league A’ja Wilson and her deputy Kelsey Plum have also experienced it. Still, there are some areas where Curt Miller is hopeful of some improvement. In the post-game media address after the Mercury game, the 55-year-old expressed, “I want her to want to take over at times with how they’re guarding her. She had a good game, and I think it could’ve been more of a monster game.” 

The last 4 fixtures for Jackson have resulted in her averaging 15.5 points per game while shooting 43.8% from deep. This is an impressive transition considering it included teams like the Las Vegas Aces and Phoenix Mercury. Still, fans are hopeful that she has a lot left in her tank before capping off her rookie campaign.

Stay tuned for more such updates. And to follow what Shaq’s ex-agent, Leonard Armato, has to say about the infamous Shaq-Kobe feud, Caitlin Clark’s Olympic snub, and more, watch this video