When it comes to star names in the transfer portal, no name has ever been more prominent than ex-Mississippi State star Rickea Jackson. Jackson, the 6-foot-2, do-everything guard/forward, is slated to visit Tennessee this weekend, multiple sources tell The Ball Out.
This is a huge development as every major program in the country wants Jackson. She was leading the SEC in scoring at the time of her transfer. If Tennessee can land Jackson, this immediately puts them in serious contention to win the 2022-23 National Championship — she’s that special of a talent. When you look at the job that Kellie Harper has done this year, especially with the injuries to Jordan Horston and Keyen Green, adding Jackson to a roster with a healthy Horston and Tamari Key would be lethal.
On top of that, Jackson would be aligned with the No. 1 brand in women’s basketball history. But, again, this isn’t conjecture or hyperbole; it’s just a fact.
With Tennesee’s being “back” to the elite status as stated by the best coaches in all of women’s basketball, Jackson’s brand would explode. Just look at how TV networks have made it a point to put the Lady Vols brand on network television at every juncture. Tennessee is the only school that’s been on ABC, Fox, and ESPN this season. Why is that?
Because of the Lady Vols’ brand.
And as someone who used to be a marketing executive, if Jackson ends up at Tennessee, the marketing exposure, visibility, and NIL opportunities that would happen for her would be phenomenal, to say the least. Could you imagine the opportunities that Candace Parker would have gotten in the NIL era? Jackson has that rare marketing gift, charisma, and game-changing game like Parker.
If folks haven't noticed, most of these high TV ratings games involve @LadyVol_Hoops. The incredible media exposure for players who wear🍊 continues. #GBO https://t.co/x7s8wcifJg
— Eric Trainer (@utspacewrangler) February 23, 2022
Jackson is a communications major, and if you look at some of the names crushing in the media today, they are former Tennessee Lady Vols, which speaks volumes to #LVFL (Lady Vols Family for Life):
- Candace Parker (NBA Analyst on TNT).
- Andraya Carter (a rising superstar who is at ESPN).
- Tamika Catchings.
- Nikki Fargas.
Watching GameDay now @Andraya_Carter is gonna be a star on TV. Former Tennessee player. Have seen her on sidelines for men’s games, can really both inform and entertain. Need her on more games!!! pic.twitter.com/J4uNOR0nE1
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) February 20, 2022
Jackson to Tennessee could be a match made in heaven. One thing is for sure, whoever lands, Jackson is getting a great player, but also a great and loyal person — she stayed at Mississippi State for three years while playing for three different head coaches, that’s loyalty!
And the one thing about Tennessee and its Lady Vol family is that it’s a loyal family; just search #LVFL on Twitter.
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