Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson grew up idolizing Sparks legend Candace Parker.
Parker’s silky dominance on the court, trailblazing legacy and iconic No. 3 jersey became a symbol of greatness at the University of Tennessee and in the WNBA. A decade later, Jackson found herself not only wearing the same Tennessee orange but also the same purple and gold when she was drafted by the Sparks.
Though Jackson never had the opportunity to fulfill a childhood dream and compete against Parker as she retired before the start of the WNBA season last year, Jackson watched in awe as the Sparks officially retired Parker’s jersey on June 29 in Los Angeles. For Jackson, the jersey retirement wasn’t just about honoring the legacy of one of her favorite players – it also was about reflecting on how Parker’s path helped shape her own.
After the game, Jackson and teammates Rae Burrell and Mercedes Russell, all Tennessee women’s basketball alums, had the opportunity to embrace Parker and their shared connection. Jackson hopes to ultimately emulate Parker’s success as a repeat WNBA All-Star, champion and MVP.
In Episode 2 of her season-long video diary on Andscape, Jackson talks about what it was like to play for Tennessee, how Parker influenced her game, how it felt to record a career-high in points against the Las Vegas Aces in June, and how she is finding her rhythm with the Sparks’ first-year coaching staff.
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