Sparks’ Rickea Jackson humorously considers WNBA coaching career after recent firings
Sparks’ Rickea Jackson humorously considers WNBA coaching career after recent firings. (Photo: IMAGN)
LA Sparks star Rickea Jackson jokingly tweeted about possibly being a WNBA coach after the Connecticut Sun parted ways with Stephanie White. There are now seven teams looking for a new coach, which is more than half the league’s total teams.
In a post on Twitter, formerly known as X, Jackson hilariously reacted to White’s departure from the Sun after just two seasons. She joked about going after a coaching vacancy along with Sparks teammate Azura Stevens.
“Me and Azurá bouta apply for one of them jobs,” Jackson tweeted.
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Rickea Jackson had a good rookie season with the LA Sparks despite the team’s struggles to win games. Jackson got herself going after a poor start to the campaign, averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game. She shot 45.6% from the field, including 34.7% from beyond the arc.
Jackson had to step up for the Sparks following Cameron Brink’s injury early in the season. The team finished with the worst record in the league, at 8-32, with coach Curt Miller being let go at the end of the season.
Apart from Miller, six more coaches were let go by their teams. The Chicago Sky shockingly dismissed Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season. Sky star forward Angel Reese was also a fan of Weatherspoon, so it caught her by surprise, like many members of the fanbase.
Meanwhile, the Atlanta Dream fired Tanisha Wright in early October even though she led them to back-to-back postseason appearances. The Dallas Wings followed suit by letting go of Latricia Trammell despite making the WNBA semifinals in 2023.
Eric Thibault was dismissed by the Washington Mystics last week, while the Indiana Fever fired Christie Sides over the weekend. Stephanie White wasn’t fired by the Connecticut Sun, but she has been linked to the Fever job.
Rickea Jackson named to All-Rookie Team
Rickea Jackson named to All-Rookie Team. (Photo: IMAGN)
After an impressive rookie season, Rickea Jackson was rewarded by being named to the All-Rookie First Team along with Caitlin Clark, Angel Reese, Kamilla Cardoso and Leonie Fiebich. Jackson was the first LA Sparks rookie to get the honors since Ana Dabovic in 2015.
There were a lot of expectations for Jackson after the Sparks took her fourth overall in this year’s draft. They were looking for a new scorer after Nneka Ogwumike left in free agency to join the Seattle Storm.
Jackson and fellow rookie Cameron Brink, who was drafted No. 2, were supposed to be the new faces of the franchise. Brink’s injury was unfortunate, but they are still the future of the Sparks.
They also have the best chance of landing the first pick in next year’s draft, headlined by UConn star guard Paige Bueckers.