Spotted or not? That might just have been the million-dollar question swirling through the rumor mill after the 2025 NFL draft. This one involves the LA Sparks’ Rickea Jackson.

Yep, that Rickea Jackson. The Tennessee standout turned WNBA force found herself at the center of dating speculation. And while this isn’t her first rodeo with the rumor mill, it’s definitely a plot twist that has everyone refreshing their timelines.

Not too long ago, fans were convinced she was dating Western Illinois defensive back Jordan Anderson. It all started with a warm hug caught on camera and an Instagram story that sent the internet into overdrive. But just when people were ready to ship the duo, Jackson came through with a follow-up post shutting it all down—clear as day: Anderson wasn’t her man.

Fast forward to April 2025, and things are starting to heat up again. Only now, the name in question is way bigger, and the stakes? Let’s just say we’re talking full-on NFL spotlight. After a viral video from the NFL Draft surfaced, supposedly showing Jackson and Falcons’ first-round pick, James Pearce Jr., in what many called a low-key cozy moment, fans have been going wild. Are they dating? Are they just friends? Is this another misread? Or is there something more real simmering behind the scenes?

When did Rickea Jackson start dating James Pearce?

If we’re keeping it real, this NFL Draft moment felt like the first time most saw Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. together. But for the twist, there is no confirmation that it was, in fact, the Sparks star sitting beside Pearce. 

In a video that has now gone viral, a woman, dressed chic in black, can be seen gently tapping the linebacker’s thigh as they celebrated his draft. “LA Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Celebrates Boyfriend James Pearce Jr. Getting Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons!” I Talk Hoops posted on X. A few ran with it, but others, a little more keen-eyed, waited around to question if that was really Rickea. Chaos erupted across social media. Then, to throw everyone off further, the star forward herself put up a post.

“Soooo I have a doppelganger. Wow,” she wrote. Was she trolling? Was she being serious? That’s still up in the air since neither of the stars confirmed anything. But count on fans to connect the dots. 

Both Jackson and Pearce Jr. played at Tennessee, so it tracks that they may have met there. Following that, a few clips claim the newly minted Falcon was right there as Rickea got drafted in the WNBA in 2024. They even seemed to have shared a hug. But what leaves this matter unsettled is one of Jackson’s message: “If I got a man, y’all would know. I’mma tell y’all.”

So if the two stars are really keeping their status under the blankets, their story could date as far back as to 2022-2024, when they were Vols together. If this was another misread, you heard Jackson, she will let you know when she finds the right guy. So right now, find her in the headlines for her sophomore season in the league.

Which team does Rickea Jackson play for in the WNBA?

Before she was lighting it up in L.A., Rickea Jackson was already making noise—first in Michigan, then in Knoxville. The game’s been in her blood since day one. Her mom hooped at Kansas, her older brother Rickey played at Adrian College, and by the time Rickea picked up a basketball at 12, the spark was already lit. Inspired by her mom’s love for the game and watching her favorite player, Kevin Durant, go to work, Rickea found her rhythm quickly.

Fast forward a few years, the Los Angeles Sparks called her name with the No. 4 overall pick—and that’s where she’s been making waves ever since.

Jackson’s rookie season in the W felt like a statement. She dropped 535 points—second-most by any rookie in Sparks history behind only Candace Parker. She averaged 13.4 points, shot nearly 46% from the field, and turned up when it mattered most—scoring 328 of her points in just the final 20 games. Her coach Curt Miller said it loud and clear: “She really belongs.”

She wrapped her first season with All-Rookie honors from both the league and the AP. And off the court? She made more history—becoming the first WNBA player to ink a shoe deal with Skechers.

So, if you’re wondering where Rickea Jackson’s doing her thing these days—the answer is simple. She’s in Los Angeles, suiting up for the Sparks, and proving every night that her game’s built for this level.

Do Rickea Jackson and James Pearce have kids together? 

As of now, there’s no word or official report suggesting Rickea Jackson and James Pearce have any kids together. The two seem locked in on chasing greatness—Jackson making waves in W season, and Pearce fresh off his NFL Draft night moment. But with the spotlight now catching their every move, fans can’t help but wonder what’s next behind the scenes.