Just a quarter of the way into the WNBA season, the Sparks‘ roster is already depleted, forcing them to sign both Shey Peddy and Grace Berger over the past week, inserting them right into the rotation.
Los Angeles was down Kelsey Plum, Rae Burrell, Cameron Brink, Odyssey Sims, and Julie Allemand in their 98-67 loss to the Seattle Storm, opening the door for other players to step up in the coming weeks.
“We can not lose perspective. What we are going to gain is players having more experience, and that is going to make us better in the long run. We have to just maintain the course. It is frustrating, but the sky is not falling,” said head coach Lynne Roberts.
A lot of the workload falls on the shoulders of Dearica Hamby, but she already does so much for the team, even when they are not shorthanded. The 2024 All-Star can only do so much, leaving Rickea Jackson as the player who must take her game to the next level in order for the Sparks to stay afloat.
Jackson, the fourth overall pick in last year’s draft, has all the talent to be a dynamic player in the league. She has the size, athleticism, and skill to be an elite scorer at the professional level, much like she was in college.
During her rookie campaign, Jackson averaged 13.4 points per game. She missed part of the early portion of the 2025 season due to a concussion, but now that she is back, it is her time to shine.
“I think everyone in this room knows her potential, and she has done a really good job since coming back from being out. I am incredibly proud of her; she is working extremely hard and doing everything we are asking of her to do,” said Roberts.
Jackson led Los Angeles in scoring in their loss to Seattle with 17 points. Despite a lack of efficiency (4-15 from the field), even when she misses, you can see the vision. Jackson can blow by slower defenders and shoot over smaller ones. If and when she puts it all together, the sky is the limit.
“When you think of Rickea, you just think of potential. I don’t think she is even close to how good she will be. I don’t want her to feel pressure about being part of a Big Three because she is just a sophomore, but we are playing our best when she is productive,” said Roberts.
The Sparks are 4-9, with a first-year head coach. Developing Jackson should be priority number one. They are not championship contenders this season, but can be next year when Jackson is another year removed from college.
Kelsey Plum is a star, and Hamby is one of the most underrated players in the league. With the potential return from a torn ACL looming for Cameron Brink and Azurá Stevens providing size and versatility down low, a matured Jackson could create one of the best starting fives in the WNBA in 2026.
It is still unknown how long it will be before Plum returns as the primary playmaker, but until then, Jackson should have the rock in her hands as much as possible.
Featured Image: Los Angeles Sparks forward Rickea Jackson (2) in action against the Seattle Storm on June 17, 2025. Photo credit: Carlos Jones/News4usOnline
Benjamin Verbrugge is a reporter for News4usonline who studied journalism at CSU Dominguez Hills. “Sports have brought me much joy throughout my life, and I want to give a little back to something that has meant so much to me.” Email Benjamin at benverbrugge8@gmail.com.
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