Ever since returning from a month-long WNBA break, the Sparks have been at their worst. This Sunday, the team ended up with its fourth consecutive loss to the Connecticut Sun, 79-67. Despite the defeat, the Sparks left the arena ecstatic. “But we have to have a better close,” shared the team’s head coach, Curt Miller. For him, it was the rookie Rickea Jackson who turned out to be a blessing.

The Tennessee alum contributed 16 impressive points to the team’s total in just 32 minutes of gameplay. In the process, she overtook the legendary Nneka Ogwumike’s record for second all-time scoring in a single season in Sparks’ history. “You know you’re doin’ something right when your name is mentioned with Nneka Ogwumike,” penned the WNBA on X while applauding Jackson’s 463 points.

The 2012 first-overall pick by the Los Angeles Sparks stood next to Candace Parker and had an average of 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in her first season. For her, it was 448 points, but Jackson is already 14 points ahead and still counting.

While the Sparks stand as the league’s worst with a 7-28 record, Jackson is truly a standout. Despite averaging nearly 9.8 points earlier this season, she’s improving with every matchup. If she continues with her current momentum, it wouldn’t be surprising for her to soar to the 500-point mark within 10 days before the regular season concludes. But, for that, she needs a better average.

Is historical record within reach for Rickea Jackson?

As of now, Jackson is only 38 points short of making history as the second Los Angeles rookie behind Parker, to score over 500 points in a single season. To accomplish this milestone, she would have to average nearly 10.4 points over the four games remaining. With a current average of 12.8 points, while grabbing 3.8 rebounds, it shouldn’t be a big deal for her.

Ever since going off against the Phoenix Mercury, Jackson’s playing time has been consistent over the past few games. In fact, she has delivered impressive averages, including 15.6 points with 4.3 rebounds during this stretch. Even during the September 9th game against the Connecticut Sun, she scored 23 points with four rebounds and three steals.

In the process, she has improved her season average to 13 points per game. As evident from her impressive gameplay, she’s on an upward trajectory. This even puts her alongside Caitlin Clark in the Rookie of the Year race, especially now that Angel Reese is out due to a season-ending surgery.