Rickea JacksonRickea Jackson (Photos via ESPN & Instagram)
Rickea Jackson might be taking her talents off the court and into the limelight for a different reason. The Los Angeles Sparks rookie, fresh off a standout first season in the WNBA, sent social media into a frenzy Thursday night after appearing alongside Atlanta Falcons first-round pick James Pearce Jr. during the NFL Draft.

As cameras cut to Pearce’s watch party following his No. 26 selection, fans quickly noticed Jackson seated next to him, casually rubbing his leg. The moment was brief, but it was enough to light up timelines and fuel rumors of a budding romance between the two former Tennessee Volunteers.

Fans React, Jackson Responds With Humor

Rickea Jackson (Photo By Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images)
Once the clip aired, fans wasted no time reacting. One user wrote on X, “Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr. on draft night.”

Others shared similar heartbreak and surprise, joking about losing their “WNBA crush” to the NFL.

 

Rather than shy away from the attention, Jackson leaned into the moment with a bit of humor. “Soooo I have a doppelganger. Wow,” she wrote on her social media, sidestepping confirmation but clearly aware of the buzz.

The timeline of Jackson and Pearce’s connection remains unclear, though both spent time at the University of Tennessee and may have crossed paths during their collegiate years. Pearce wrapped his career with 19.5 sacks and back-to-back first-team All-SEC honors, while Jackson averaged 13.4 points in her rookie WNBA season and earned All-Rookie honors.

While neither Jackson nor Pearce has publicly confirmed a relationship, the moment has already given fans plenty to talk about. Whether it was a hard launch or a casual hangout, one thing’s certain- this potential pairing is already shaping up to be one of the most talked-about athlete duos of the year.

For now, Jackson seems content to let the internet do its thing, keeping the mood light and the focus on her game. But if Thursday night was any hint, fans may want to keep an eye on more than just her stat line.