Why the Lady Vols claim Ricky Jackson is their Michael Jordan after being snubbed

RALEIGH, N.C. – Jasmine Powell was browsing the USBWA and AP All-American lists this week and noticed “honorable mention” next to Lady Vols basketball star Rickea Jackson’s name. She was disappointed.

Powell, a senior point guard, posted about the snub on Instagram Stories and called Jackson “our MJ.”

“That’s what I call her. I mean, she’s everything to us,” Powell said Friday. “I always call her Michelle Jordan, not Michael Jordan… When she goes on the court, she has his mentality, which is to dominate.”

Of course, their focus is now on the first game of March Madness. No. 6 seed Tennessee (19-12) faces No. 11 seed Green Bay (27-6) in the first round on Saturday (noon ET, ESPN) at Reno Stadium. But Ms Walls will stand up for herself.

“She’s first-team,” junior guard Kaiya Wynn said to herself, “which is better for us than being a first-team All-American.”

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The former NBA legend wasn’t the only nickname Powell had for Jackson. If she made a nice pass in practice, Powell would yell, “Okay, Magic!” a reference to Los Angeles Lakers great Magic Johnson, who was usually laughed at by Jackson.

“She’s really humble, so when we call her MJ or something like that, she gets a little shy, so it’s fun,” Wayne said. “She tends to put us on her back and take us where we need to go.”

Powell echoed Wynn’s sentiments, calling Jackson “the most humble athlete” she’s ever been around, even though she does things on the court that no one else can.

“I think it’s going to give her a fighting spirit in this game,” Powell said.

Jackson is averaging 19.4 points per game this season, leading the SEC, and the power forward was expected to be a lottery pick in the 2024 WNBA draft, but she was named an honorable mention All-American for the second consecutive season. Jackson earned honorable mention All-America honors each season in college.

Lady Vols coach Kellie Harper knows everyone has an opinion, but hers is simple.

“She’s an All-American,” Harper said Friday. “I think she’s one of the 10 best players in the country, I really do. But she’s got a pretty level head. She gets it and we’re proud of her, who she is and what she’s done for us .”

Jackson did get it. She is now focused on succeeding in her second NCAA tournament.

“Just looking at these ladies, I knew I didn’t want to let them down and they had my back and I had their back,” Jackson said. “It goes without saying, we just work hard for each other.”

Jackson has been a consistent scorer his entire career, averaging at least 19 points per game the past three seasons, but this season has been his best all-around season. She’s averaging career highs in rebounds (8) and assists (2.4) per game.

Senior guard Jewel Spear also posted on The X in support of Jackson. She said Friday that Jackson has proven day in and day out that she is an All-American.

“She knows who she is,” Spear said. “She knows her worth.”

Cora Hall covers University of Tennessee women’s track and field.Email her at cora.hall@knoxnews.com and follow her on Twitter @corahallll. If you like Cora’s coverage, please consider a digital subscription to access all content.