All eyes have been on Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese, but let’s not overlook Rickea Jackson of the LA Sparks. She’s had a standout rookie year too. She might not have racked up historic records like the other two, but she’s been rock-solid and steady on both sides of the court. Despite some early rookie hiccups, Jackson has bounced back with grit and growth. A big part of her turnaround could be the advice from Dearica Hamby, which she spilled on the Good Game podcast with Sarah Spain.

“I think after like her [Rickea Jackson] second or third week here, I wrote her a letter, and I told her that she was the future of this team and that she was the star, and at that point, she hadn’t hit her stride yet and I know she was frustrated,” Hamby said, via the Good Game with Sarah Spain. Jackson didn’t get to start in her first five WNBA games, but she didn’t let that hold her back. She hustled on both ends of the court, showing her worth with every play.

Her relentless drive eventually caught the eye of Sparks head coach Curt Miller and his crew. On May 28, she got her shot and nailed her first start against the Indiana Fever. Amidst this, Dearica Hamby was a huge part of her breakthrough. She said, “I tried to keep her mind in it, like, ‘It’s gonna click, it’s gonna click.’ With the rookie transition and some injuries, she slid out of position, so it was a bit tough. She was at the three, going against me, which was kind of frustrating for her. I was in her ear, reminding her how confident she needs to stay and that it’s gonna be good.”

This kind of motivation is key because a lack of confidence can seriously hold you back, especially in a rookie season. If you don’t have the drive to keep pushing and believe in yourself, you might never breakthrough. Jackson’s ability to average 12 points per game and stay solid both offensively and defensively is a big shout-out to the support and confidence she got from her able teammate Hamby. After Dearica Hamby revealed how she helped Rickea Jackson, Sarah Spain chimed in, “That’s a vet move but it is also kind of a mom move.” And honestly, it is a mom move—a genuine gesture that underscores just how much mentorship and care can shape a player’s career.

While nobody can deny the support given by Hamby, it is crucial to look at how the rookie has been performing in the WNBA.

Rickea Jackson’s performance in the league

Rickea Jackson has been a scoring machine throughout her basketball journey. With a killer record in the SEC and an impressive 19.6 points per game during her two years at Tennessee, she entered the WNBA with major hype. Even though she’s putting up over 10 points a game and 3 rebounds—stats that might not scream Rookie of the Year—Jackson is holding down a decent rookie performance.

Also, Jackson’s game is ridiculously smooth. She nails those technically perfect shots, even when she’s off balance or under pressure—it’s pure magic. She’s got that big-game vibe, always in the right place, and hardly ever misses or takes a bad shot. Her defense is on lock, and she moves like silk. There’s so much to admire about her game. Even with a coach who’s pulling her out at random, her transition to the WNBA has been seriously impressive.

Even with all the dope stuff she’s got going on, there’s still room to level up her rebounding and passing. If she tightens those skills, she’ll be taking her game to the next level for sure. What are your thoughts on her?