I think she’s a pure, true SF - something Texas hasn’t had in recent memory. If anything, it would result in starting 2 guards instead of the 3 currently (Rori, JAT and Aliyah). I could see a starting 5 of Rori, Aliyah, Rickea, and a combo of DeYona, Aaliyah or Latasha.
Additional bonus - her transfer to Texas would give Ndjakalenga a template of how the position is played at the college level and in Vic’s system.
My understanding is that she plays small forward, and isn't really a fan of the physical contact required to play power forward (even though she has the size/height to do so). She has great speed and footwork on the offensive end. Destined to be a small forward at the pro level, IMO. If she were to select Texas, I think she'd fit in perfectly to start at small forward next season (and would have this season had she come to Texas with Matharu). We don't have anyone on the roster who is a natural small forward with her length and quickness; Holle at the moment is the closest, and perhaps 2022 Ndjakalenga for next season; and, that's it.
I think she would play the 3 wing spot. I also think she could land at a number of different programs depending on her priorities.... She’s a major talent!!!
In the few games I’ve watched her play…….the answer is yes. She’s just a skilled basketball player. She can play anywhere from the 2-4 spots but if forced to testify to a specific position…..I’m picking point small forward.
She actually has 2 years of eligibility remaining (COVID season); but, most expect her to go pro after the 2022-23 season.
Would Vic really pick up a player who quit on her team in the middle of the season? I’m not so sure. State had just lost 3 straight games. There was a coaching change at the beginning of the season. Ok she doesn’t like the Coach and his style, the season has gone south and they will probably not make the NCAA’s. But do you quit on the team? We have a tremendous team chemistry right now. We have 3 stud freshmen coming in next year. Are Audrey, Joann, and Lauren Ebo coming back next year. I’ll take these 3 back next year over picking up Rickey Jackson.
She didn’t quit on her team. There have been things going on at Mississippi state for quite some time now that would cause anyone to want to leave. She held out as long as she could and losing doesn’t help the situation either. Rickea is a great player who any coach in the country would want and she is loyal honestly. She could’ve left after the awful season they had last year but she decided to stick it out and stay at Mississippi state. Joanne and Audrey are not returning next season as it’s been stated multiple times by Vic and Ebo is still up in the air. I don’t see how our team chemistry would be affected if she joined because, it’s not like she would be able to play this season. She would just be a helping hand and help others since she’s already been with Vic previously and who knows, she may even decide to stay at Mississippi state until the year is over. If Rickea wants to come to Texas Vic is going to 1000% make room as soon as possible.
If she quit because they were doing poorly and not getting into the NCAA tournament, why not transfer after last season when they not only didn’t make the NCAA but declined the NIT invite. I read yet another article this morning that cited sources saying there has been a lot of drama amongst teammates this season. I don’t know exactly which players are involved but I’d say that is the cause for transferring now. Vic and Dionnah know her better than any other coaches and if she decided to transfer to Texas, I’d trust their judgment. As far as seniors returning, I’d say the only player that might return next season would be Lauren. The fact they changed her class on the roster from junior to senior well after the initial roster updates indicates this is probably her last season.
The original Tweet was from Tyler Feldman Hookemhornsforlife responded to Tyler’s Tweet CDC’s Tweet was responding to Hookemhorns Tweet. (CDC seems to be confirming that Vic is recruiting Rickea)
Vic Basically said it’s better to bring in a seasoned veteran like Warren into the game who knows what she’s doing instead of someone who is new to the college level or to his system. Now how that correlates to Jackson I have no idea but, the tweet mentioned Vic recruiting Rickea and CDC responded so I’ll take that as confirmation that Vic is trying to get Jackson to Texas.
It looks like CDC quote tweeted about “this is directed at R Jackson” to me and he is confirming that
Thanks folks. I'll have to go back and watch the post-game press conference. When I was (half) watching earlier today, I kind of thought he was referring to Matharu (who gave him such a priceless head turn and stare) as he seemed to turn his head slightly to his right in her direction; but, makes sense he could have been talking about Warren.
When you stop playing in the middle of the season voluntarily you're quitting on you're team.....that was already shorthanded to begin with. IMO, I think this young lady has too many red flags! Vic is doing this the right way thru developing young talent and building a good foundation. He should stay on course.
Rickea Jackson visited Texas in the fall of 2018. Texas was one of Rickea's five final schools along with Tennessee, South Carolina, Louisville and Mississippi State. As we know, Rickea committed to Mississippi State and had one season with Vic as her coach. She had a phenomenal freshman season under Schaefer and received the following accolades her freshman year (taken from the Miss State web site). Named Second Team All-SEC Earned a spot on the SEC All-Freshman Team Ranked fifth among all players in the SEC with 16.5 ppg SEC Freshman of the Week after recording a career-high 34 points 3x SEC Freshman of the Week honoree Accounted for 22 percent of Mississippi State’s scoring during conference play despite being the focal point for opposing team’s defenses Eight games with 20-plus points (tied for the most by any freshman) Finished the season with four double-doubles, which ranked second on the team Scored 29 points along with 10 rebounds against 15th ranked Kentucky in the semifinals of the SEC Tournament Posted 23 points, 10 boards, three assists and two steals against LSU in the SEC Tournament Named to the SEC All-Tournament Team after averaging 20.3 points and 8.3 rebounds per game Notched her second double-double with 21 points and 10 rebounds in victory over #16 Texas A&M Received MVP honors for the Duel in the Desert after posting 17.0 points and 7.5 rebounds per game in wins versus USF and Virginia to win the tournament title. Rickea will certainly have her choice of schools, and many coaches will be vying for her transfer. However, Texas checks several boxes in our favor. Notably, Rickea committed to Vic/Miss State and excelled under his leadership. She was teammates with Matharu who can answer any questions Rickea has about the Texas program. It also doesn't hurt that Texas made Rickea's final 5 schools when she was a senior in high school. However, if Rickea is looking for a spot closer to home, then Austin doesn't fit the location criteria. In my opinion, Vic can sell to Rickea that she has the opportunity to play her final season with a Texas team that will be competing on the national stage 2022-2023. A starting 5 of Harmon, Matharu, Jackson, Moore/Lattimore, Ebo/Gaston could be a pre-season top 5 team in the country.
You can’t expect a player to remain in what seems to be a mentally abusive environment. She’s had three coaching changes and half her original team has already left. She gutted it out and finally something happened where she decided enough was enough. I wish her well just like I wish Chevalier well. It’s not like coaches recruit kids they don’t know. This isn’t some sort of lottery where you get what you get. If Vic wants her, I’m all in. She’s the leading scorer in the SEC, correct? If Vic doesn’t want her, I’m all for that as well. He would know what is best. That said, the competition to get her will be tough. She’s that good.
One thing you can best believe, Vic has his finger on the pulse of that situation and probably knows most of the fine details if not all. When the Hayes sisters were brought into Mississippi State, everyone who knows anything about them predicted that there was going to be trouble. After all this is Anastasia's third school... Remember she was kicked off of Tennessee's team before she transferred to Middle Tennessee.
When you’re in a mentally draining environment where leaving is your only option then she 100% has every right to remove herself from the situation. It was only getting worse so she did the right thing by leaving. If you knew what was going on you would have a different outlook and understand where she is coming from and I don’t see how she has any red flags when she only did what was best for her mental health. Everyone on this planet has a breaking point and she reached hers so you can’t fault her for that. It’s the same thing for Chevalier but the only difference is that playing time affected her decision. Rickea didn’t have that problem so you know how bad of an environment you have to be in to leave as the best player on your team. I 1000% want a Rickea and she’ll likely go pro after next season anyways so it won’t affect the development of our younger players at all.
That said, I truly believe he wouldn't do anything that would disrupt what he's building. He knows way more about that player than any of us do... that's for sure. Like @WCBBNUT said... Whatever he's decides to do is fine by me.
I do believe where Rikea Jackson is concerned I’m going to trust that Vic will make a calculated decision on what’s best for the team. It’s not like he doesn’t have a ton of information about her at this point.
We’ll how bout them apples. Is McLean’s situation close enough to Jackson’s that Horns “could” have some help for the rest of the season. Four games compared to half a season. Close enough for me. Come on down Rickea!
That is interesting about Mclean. Read that she only played in 3 games and a total of 8 minutes at UConn this past Fall before deciding to transfer. Perhaps games played mattered. I recall when Precious Johnson decided to transfer from Texas last September 27, and before the season started. She signed with Auburn on October 25. Not sure when she actually enrolled in classes at Auburn, but she did have to wait until around January 8 of this year to finally be cleared to play. Guess I'll never understand these transfer "rules" . . .
I see she played 28 minutes and scored 11 points in her first game. Virginia must have filled her head with "rebuilding" dreams and promised her minutes to get her to transfer. They definitely fulfilled one promise last night, but otherwise, I don't understand why she'd transfer to Virginia whose performance over the last few years has been mediocre.
