Los Angeles Sparks trade former Lady Vols star Rickea Jackson to Chicago Sky

Former Lady Vols basketball star Rickea Jackson has been traded to the Chicago Sky, the organization announced April 12. Jackson was traded for Ariel Atkins in a straight-up player swap, according to a report from Alexa Philippou on April 12. Jackson has played for the Los Angeles Sparks since the organization drafted her No.

4 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Now Jackson will join the organization that Lady Vols legend Candace Parker led to its first WNBA title in 2021. "It’s thrilling to acquire one of the great young talents in this league in Jackson," Chicago Sky general manager Jeff Pagliocca said in a statement .

“Rickea is only going to continue to ascend, and the organization is excited to witness that growth firsthand. " Breaking: The Chicago Sky and Los Angeles Sparks have agreed to a trade that'll send Rickea Jackson to the Sky and Ariel Atkins to the Sparks, sources told ESPN. pic.

twitter. com/2SnRv1sF0y — Alexa Philippou (@alexaphilippou) April 12, 2026 Jackson was the highest draft pick out of Tennessee since Diamond DeShields was picked No. 3 overall by the Chicago Sky in 2018.