LA Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson might have just discovered her next calling in the world of basketball coaching—or at least, that’s the buzz she created on social media. The star forward’s playful reaction to the latest WNBA coaching shake-ups had fans—and maybe a few GMs—wondering if Jackson’s future lies beyond the court.
With seven WNBA teams now coachless following a recent wave of firings, more than half the league is currently shopping for a new head coach. The most recent vacancy opened up after the Connecticut Sun split with head coach Stephanie White. That’s when Jackson, never one to miss a beat on Twitter (or “X,” as the app is now known), tossed her hat into the virtual ring with a playful tweet: “Me and Azurá [Stevens] bouta apply for one of them jobs.”
Jackson’s tweet was as much a commentary on the WNBA’s turbulent season as it was a nod to her camaraderie with her Sparks teammate, Azurá Stevens. And let’s be real: the idea of Jackson and Stevens co-coaching a WNBA team is the kind of chaotic energy the league could use.
Coaching Vacancies and Rookie Vibes: The WNBA’s Wild 2024 Season
The WNBA coaching carousel has been dizzying. After Connecticut’s split with White, we saw Chicago Sky’s shocking move in parting ways with Teresa Weatherspoon after just one season. Not to mention the surprising dismissals of Atlanta Dream’s Tanisha Wright, despite back-to-back playoff appearances, and the Dallas Wings’ release of Latricia Trammell, who had only led them to the semifinals last season.
The Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever rounded out this housecleaning with their own head coaching changes. By the end of October, the league had more former head coaches than playoff teams. And with Stephanie White possibly eyeing a return to the Fever, the rumor mill is turning faster than a Jackson fast break.
Rickea’s Stellar Rookie Season—and the ‘Backup Plan’ if Coaching Doesn’t Pan Out
While Jackson’s tongue-in-cheek tweet was all in good fun, her rookie season has been anything but a joke. Selected fourth overall, Jackson made Sparks history by becoming the first All-Rookie Team honoree since Ana Dabovic in 2015. She bounced back from a shaky start, averaging 13.4 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.7 assists, with a solid shooting rate of 45.6% from the field and 34.7% from three-point range. Those stats turned heads and proved she’s got the skill to back up her playful antics.
Jackson also stepped up as the team’s lead scorer following an early-season injury to fellow rookie standout Cameron Brink. Despite the Sparks’ dismal 8-32 record, Jackson was a beacon of promise, showing fans—and probably a few rival teams—what she could bring to the table.
The Future of the Sparks—and a First Pick to Sweeten the Deal
Despite a rough season, the Sparks have a bright future with Jackson, Brink, and a prime chance at next year’s No. 1 draft pick, thanks to their less-than-stellar record. And with Paige Bueckers, the UConn sensation, topping most mock drafts, the Sparks could be building a formidable new generation.
As for Jackson’s coaching aspirations? While it’s mostly in jest, we wouldn’t put it past her to try her hand at leading a team. After all, the WNBA coaching landscape is wide open, and Jackson’s already got the backing of her teammate and fans alike.
But for now, we’ll just enjoy the playful tweets and watch Jackson continue making waves—on the court and on social media.