Tag: Los Angeles Sparks

Notre Dame guards projected top-four picks ahead of WNBA draft lottery

This would reflect quite well on the Irish.

Notre Dame guards [autotag]Olivia Miles[/autotag] and [autotag]Sonia Citron[/autotag] are headed for the WNBA after this season. At least that’s the expectation. The real question is how high both players will be picked in the draft.

The WNBA draft lottery will take place Sunday. The participants are the Washington Mystics, Los Angeles Sparks, Dallas Wings and Chicago Sky. According to two projects, Miles and Citron both have a chance to be picked by one of those teams in the top four of the draft.

Tankathon has Miles and Citron going back-to-back at third and fourth, which would be an incredible accomplishment for the Irish. ESPN isn’t as optimistic with Miles going fourth and Citron projected as the final pick of the first round. ESPN previously had Miles going fifth and Citron 11th.

First things first though, both players are focused are bringing the Irish a national championship. Having [autotag]Hannah Hidalgo[/autotag] and rising freshman [autotag]Kate Koval[/autotag] with them will make the journey a lot easier.

Contact/Follow us @IrishWireND on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Notre Dame news, notes and opinions.

Follow Geoffrey on X: @gfclark89

See Cameron Brink’s beautiful engagement photos with fiancé Ben Felter

Congrats to the WNBA star and her fiance!

Congratulations to Cameron Brink and Ben Felter!

Back in May, we filled you in on the couple — she became a Los Angeles Sparks rookie, he was a rower at Stanford while she starred there on the hoops team.

And now, thanks to Instagram, we know that Felter got down on one knee in what appears to be Paris — there’s a view of the Eiffel Tower back there — and she said yes. No other details other than the ring on her finger and the caption on her Instgram photo: “Yes in every lifetime.”

Here’s the post she put up on Monday:

https://www.instagram.com/p/DAkFQcLCb0w/?img_index=7

A stunned Dearica Hamby publicly thanked Curt Miller after Sparks coach is out

Dearica Hamby shared a very heartfelt message to former Sparks coach Curt Miller.

The Los Angeles Sparks and head coach Curt Miller reportedly agreed to part ways Tuesday, stunning star forward Dearica Hamby.

The Sparks had a rough year. Injuries to several players, including Cameron Brink, completely altered what the team likely wanted to do. Additionally, head coach Curt Miller seemingly struggled at times to nail down rotations given the circumstances.

In a stunning turn of events, Miller is out as head coach after two seasons with the team. The Sparks revealed the news Tuesday, shocking fans and starter Dearica Hamby. Hamby took to X (formerly Twitter) to share her feelings, saying, “A little lost for words, honestly,” before sharing more thoughts and a public thank you to Miller. Here’s what she said:

“To [Curt Miller], I am truly thankful for our relationship, and I think that showed. You had my back on all levels that some [people] will never see. I wish we could’ve had more time as we’ve seen what you’re capable of…BUILD is still the belief, and you started that! Love you always!!!”

https://twitter.com/dearicamarie/status/1838735440763064443

https://twitter.com/dearicamarie/status/1838735536317698162

https://twitter.com/dearicamarie/status/1838771013204783186

In a very touching moment, Miller responded expressing his appreciation for Hamby, and wished her and the team well in the future.

https://twitter.com/CurtMillerWBB/status/1838742521700036819

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Monique Billing’s reaction to a Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson fight reminded fans of an LSU-South Carolina meme

Monique Billings said NOPE.

After Phoenix Mercury star Brittney Griner and Los Angeles Sparks rookie sensation Rickea Jackson got into an on-court scuffle Tuesday, Mercury forward Monique Billings immediately tried to avoid the dust-up. Her hysterical reaction has WNBA fans cracking up.

Griner and Jackson nearly came to blows mid-game after Jackson took exception to contact that Griner created with an elbow after a free throw by Celeste Taylor. After the two exchanged words about the physicality, tempers flared, and they had to be separated very quickly.

Players and coaches from both teams had to step in to stop any further escalation. Billings, who initially attempted to help, decided it was probably best she didn’t. (See the still shot below and the five-second mark of the clip, where you’ll see Billings — No. 25 — run in from the right side of the video and then step away.)

Billings’ instant reaction to the melee had fans thinking of a similar response from a ref who chose the same during an LSU-South Carolina scuffle earlier this year. They also wholeheartedly related to not wanting to be in the middle of it.

Here’s what they said (Warning: NSFW language):

(Feature image courtesy of CBS)

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Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson ignited a bench-clearing scuffle in the latest Mercury-Sparks matchup

Things got HEATED between Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson. Here’s what happened.

Brittney Griner and Rickea Jackson got into a mid-game scuffle Tuesday and had to be separated by their teams.

Phoenix’s Celeste Taylor was shooting a free throw, and Griner and Jackson stood next to each other as players waited for the shot to be completed. It’s not uncommon for players of opposing teams to jockey for position in the off-chance someone misses a free throw, and a rebound can be grabbed.

But it seems Brittney might have gotten a little too physical with Rickea during the positioning — using an elbow to create some separation — and the rookie took exception to it. Words between the pair were quickly exchanged, and soon, the two approached each other, initiating more contact. In the blink of an eye, Griner was going after Jackson, and Jackson was seemingly squaring up with Griner.

Coaches and players from both teams quickly cleared the benches and separated the pair, and eventually, Griner and Jackson were ejected.

Later, Jackson would return to the court after her ejection, but things didn’t stop there. Both Rickea and Brittney sparred on Instagram with fans who had thoughts about the squabble.

Here are some of the comments we’ve found (Warning: very NSFW language):

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Former Lady Vols’ WNBA results for Sept. 8

A look at how former Tennessee players performed in the WNBA on Sunday.

Four former Lady Vols competed in the WNBA on Sunday.

Chicago defeated Dallas, 92-77, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

Isabelle Harrison started at forward for the Sky and played 33 minutes. She totaled 21 points, nine rebounds, two assists, two steals and one block.

Harrison converted 9-of-18 field goal attempts and 3-of-3 free throw attempts.

Diamond DeShields recorded six points, one rebound, two assists and one steal in 13 minutes for Chicago.

Connecticut defeated Los Angeles, 79-67, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Rickea Jackson started at forward for the Sparks and played 40 minutes. She totaled 23 points, four rebounds, three steals, one assist and one block. She converted 9-of-18 field goal attempts, 1-of-3 three-point attempts and 4-of-6 free throw attempts.

Rae Burrell totaled two rebounds, one assist and one block in 18 minutes for Los Angeles.

Former Lady Vols’ results against Caitlin Clark, Fever

Results for two former Lady Vols against the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.

Indiana (18-16) defeated Los Angeles (7-26), 93-86, on Wednesday in the WNBA. The game was contested at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Two former Lady Vols played in Wednesday’s matchup.

Rickea Jackson started at forward for the Sarks and played 24 minutes. She recorded five points and two rebounds.

Rae Burrell also played 23 minutes for Los Angeles. She totaled 16 points, three assists, two rebounds, two steals and one block.

Caitlin Clark recorded a triple-double, totaling 24 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists, for the Fever. She also recorded three steals in 40 minutes.

Los Angeles has lost nine of its last 10 contests, including two consecutive defeats. The Sparks will next play Friday against the Sky and rookie Angel Reese in Chicago, Illinois.

PHOTOS: Kim Caldwell through the years

Rickea Jackson. Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images

Former Lady Vols’ WNBA results for Sept. 1

Former Lady Vols’ WNBA statistics for Sept. 1.

Six former Lady Vols competed in the WNBA on Sunday.

Connecticut defeated Seattle, 93-86, at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Jordan Horston totaled four points, two rebounds and one assists in 13 minutes for the Storm. She converted 2-of-3 field goal attempts.

Mercedes Russell recorded two points, three rebounds, and one block in 11 minutes for Seattle. She converted 1-of-2 field goal attempts.

Minnesota defeated Chicago, 79-74, at Target Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Diamond DeShields totaled six points, two rebounds and one block in 13 minutes for the Sky. Isabelle Harrison also played four minutes for Chicago and committed one turnover.

Atlanta defeated Los Angeles, 80-62, at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.

Rickea Jackson started at forward and played 35 minutes for the Sparks. She recorded 13 points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal.

Rae Burrell totaled five points, three rebounds and two steals for Los Angeles.

Why Rickea Jackson shouldn’t be overlooked in the WNBA’s Rookie of the Year race

Rickea Jackson’s been BALLING, and we aren’t talking about it enough.

Los Angeles Sparks rookie Rickea Jackson is a bucket, and more people should be talking about her.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Caitlin Clark will likely win Rookie of the Year. Still, I have something to get off my chest. I’m not trying to yell, but…RICKEA JACKSON SHOULD BE GETTING ROOKIE OF THE YEAR VOTES. There. I said it. WHEW. *deeeeep exhale*

To be clear, I’ve been in on Rickea since before she was drafted. Her exquisite set of skills is exactly why her WNBA draft stock rose in the weeks before she joined the Sparks. Jackson was an immediate boost off the bench, and since entering the starting lineup in May, she’s been HOOPING.

As a starter, Jackson has nine games with 15 points or more and 12 games with 50 percent shooting or better — totally WILD stuff.

Rickea’s high basketball IQ and athleticism make her dangerous on the court. She’s very smart with her shots; there’s little wasted shot selection or movement. (If you haven’t seen her trademark one-legged fade-away jumper, now’s a good time to start paying attention.)

However, Rickea’s not new to this. She’s true to this.

The former Tennessee Lady Volunteer has been playing at an elite level for months, and if the Sparks had a better record, more people would be screaming about Rickea. (At a minimum, she should be on the WNBA All-Rookie team, or fans might riot.)

So, in honor of the Rickea Jackson hype train that needs more members, here are six times of her balling out against WNBA teams this season:

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Former Lady Vols’ WNBA results for Aug. 25

A look at how former Lady Vols performed in the WNBA on Sunday.

Four former Lady Vols competed in the WNBA on Sunday.

Dallas defeated Los Angeles, 113-110, at College Park Arena in Arlington, Texas.

Rickea Jackson stared at forward and played 37 minutes for the Sparks. She totaled 25 points, four assists, three rebounds, three blocks and two steals.

Jackson converted 9-of-15 field goal attempts, 6-of-8 three-point attempts and 1-of-1 free throw attempts.

Rae Burrell scored two points in three minutes for Los Angeles.

Las Vegas defeated Chicago, 77-75, at Wintrust Arena in Chicago, Illinois.

Diamond DeShields recorded one rebound and one assist in seven minutes for the Sky.

Isabelle Harrison played three minutes for Chicago and did not record any statistics.