Rickea Jackson’s Day: Draft Lottery Woes and Instagram Block Parties
Another year, another dose of disappointment for the Los Angeles Sparks in the WNBA draft lottery. Representing the team in Sunday’s event, Rickea Jackson watched as her squad’s 44.2% chance of landing the No. 1 pick evaporated before her very eyes—again. It’s déjà vu for LA fans, but Jackson wasn’t about to let the frustration simmer quietly.
After the Sparks were announced as the owners of the No. 2 pick instead of the coveted top slot, Jackson’s visibly displeased reaction became an instant viral moment. Social media trolls, never ones to miss an opportunity, swooped in. One particularly bold fan, @elsewhere009, referenced one of Jackson’s most haunting basketball memories with a zinger:
“Poor Rickea… it is like Cardoso making the 3-pt shot all over again!”
Jackson’s response? Swift, sharp, and unbothered:
“@elsewhere009 BLOCKED!”
And just like that, she turned Instagram into her personal lockdown defense.
The Cardoso Curse Strikes Again?
The troll wasn’t entirely off base. For fans needing a refresher, the infamous reference harks back to the 2024 SEC Tournament semifinal. Tennessee’s hopes rested on Jackson’s shoulders when Kamilla Cardoso, the South Carolina center with about as much range as a flip phone, nailed a buzzer-beating triple to sink the Volunteers, 74-73.
That one shot, Cardoso’s first-ever three-pointer, was like a meteor striking Jackson’s championship dreams. Sparks fans are understandably connecting the dots: Is this draft lottery heartbreak Rickea’s revenge from the basketball gods?
What’s Next for the Sparks?
This year’s lottery winner, the Dallas Wings, is all but assured to pick UConn sensation Paige Bueckers with the No. 1 selection. The Sparks, with their freshly minted No. 2 pick, have some decisions to make. Do they snag USC standout Kiki Iriafen, creating a logjam at forward with Jackson, Cameron Brink, and Dearica Hamby already in the mix?
Or, perhaps they consider Olivia Miles, the dynamic Notre Dame guard who’s been orchestrating highlight reels with surgical precision. Miles, who casually led the NCAA in assists not too long ago, is averaging a fiery 18.3 points per game this season while shooting an eyebrow-raising 47.4% from deep.
It’s not all gloom and doom for LA. They have assets and options—and, let’s be honest, a fanbase with a flair for trolling to keep them entertained. A trade involving Hamby for draft capital or backcourt reinforcements could also be on the horizon.
Bottom Line: Jackson’s Got Time, and So Do the Sparks
While the Dallas Wings are busy penciling in Bueckers as their future star, the Sparks still have plenty to look forward to. Whether it’s Iriafen’s post presence or Miles’ playmaking pizzazz, LA’s No. 2 pick could still transform their fortunes.
But one thing’s for sure: Rickea Jackson won’t be giving trolls the satisfaction of an online dunk anytime soon. “BLOCKED!” might just become her mantra as she blocks out the haters—and, hopefully, a few more shots on the court.
