In the world of sports, where every point, rebound, and subtle jab counts, there’s more at play than just skill. Trash talk, an art as old as the game itself, has its crowned champions, and according to Mississippi State guard Jerkaila Jordan, it’s Rickea Jackson of the LA Sparks—not the Chicago Sky’s Angel Reese—who sits on the throne of verbal jabs.
Jordan, who has tangled with both Jackson and Reese back in her SEC days, dished in an Instagram interview with Poster Hoops about her fierce matchups with the two All-Rookie WNBA stars. When asked who was the ultimate trash talker, she hesitated, juggling the audaciousness of both competitors before finally giving the crown to Jackson. “Angel Reese or Rickea Jackson? Those are the two players I don’t wanna go into a trash-talking competition with,” Jordan laughed. “Once they score, they’re in your ear talking, and it’s like, ‘There’s nothing you can do about it.’”
Jordan’s take is anything but surprising for those who followed Jackson and Reese through their college careers. Both players have perfected the mix of swagger and skill that makes opponents flinch. But for Jordan, who was once teammates with Jackson at MSU, there’s a clear edge. “If I had to pick No. 1, she’d be it,” Jordan said. “She doesn’t care who you are. She’ll talk trash to everybody—even the men’s practice players!”
The sparks fly (pun fully intended) whenever these two former SEC rivals hit the hardwood. Reese, who became the No. 7 pick for the Chicago Sky, brought her signature energy to the WNBA, averaging a double-double with 13.6 points and a league-leading 13.1 rebounds per game. If sheer consistency in points, rebounds, and mid-game commentary were a contest, she’d be a lock. But Jackson, drafted fourth overall by the Sparks, had her own blistering season, averaging 13.4 points and proving that she doesn’t just talk the talk; she scores on it.
The two standout rookies were part of the elite 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, a squad headlined by Rookie of the Year, Caitlin Clark of the Indiana Fever. Reese and Jackson joined fellow rising stars Leonie Fiebich of the New York Liberty and Kamilla Cardoso of the Chicago Sky, forming a rookie lineup that has kept fans and opponents alike on their toes. Fiebich, part of the Liberty’s championship-winning squad, and Cardoso, Reese’s teammate, made history as the first rookie teammates named to the All-Rookie team since Dorka Juhasz and Diamond Miller just last year. Meanwhile, Jackson became the first Sparks rookie to make the cut since Ana Dabovic in 2015.
One thing’s certain: this rookie class is redefining the game. As the league’s next generation of stars steps into the spotlight, we might need a new stat in the box score—a “TTI” (Trash Talk Index) might be in order to keep up with this entertaining cohort. Until then, fans can only wait to see what kinds of back-and-forths Reese and Jackson have in store for each other.