Sparks' Jackson on Candace Parker's influence, leading new era in L.A.

Rickea Jackson has always been into fashion.

It was something the Los Angeles Sparks forward naturally gravitated to as the only girl in the family and growing up with three brothers.

Jackson embraced being different. The second-year player says she went through every fashion phase imaginable, even a gothic moment as a kid.

With tunnel walks evolving into a popular pregame staple, Jackson is enjoying the chance to show another side of herself to fans.

"Coming into the league - or even in college - we tried the tunnel walk. It wasn't as popping as it is now," Jackson told theScore. "It has been pretty cool to experience, and I feel like it's just an expression of yourself through clothing."

Jackson's latest foray into fashion is a collaboration with Cheez-It and renowned stylist and fashion designer Brittany Hampton.

Hampton, who has previously worked with Russell Westbrook and Paige Bueckers, teamed up with the food brand to create "Cheez-Fitz," a gender-neutral clothing collection that pays homage to her signature streetwear design style and the well-known snack.

Jackson will be wearing the custom collection, which consists of a windbreaker and pants.

"Partnering with Cheez-It and Brittany Hampton, whose styling I'm obsessed with, I'm just grateful for that opportunity," Jackson said. "Cheez-It is huge. Brittany is huge. Being able to collab with two amazing powerhouses is amazing.

"It's gender-neutral. So anyone can wear it. I just can't wait to let the fans see what everything is."

With this year's WNBA season nearing its midway point, theScore spoke with Jackson about Candace Parker's influence, leading a new era of Sparks basketball, and much more.

Note: This interview - in partnership with Cheez-It - has been edited for length and clarity.

theScore: Your mother played basketball at Kansas. How influential was she in your basketball development?

Jackson: It is who I am. Having that basketball IQ has helped me a lot as a player. ... (My mom) didn't necessarily want to indulge in my career. There have been so many opportunities where she could've been my coach and trained me. But she wanted to be a mom. With basketball and parenting, sometimes that doesn't always go well. I could tell she never wanted that. She just wanted to put me in front of the right people so that I could grow on my own journey and figure things out on my own.

theScore: You took part in the inaugural Unrivaled campaign during the WNBA offseason and had some pretty talented teammates on Mist BC, including Breanna Stewart and Jewell Loyd. Did you strike a bond with any of your teammates, and what were your takeaways from that experience?

Jackson: I feel like our team was pretty close. We all just have really good personalities. I got to know each and every one of them on different levels. When we play each other, we show love. We still text every now and then in our Misties group chat. Playing with the greats. Just seeing their habits. What they do to get ready for the game. I feel like that was pretty cool to experience. The people that you look up to - just being able to say I played with them is nothing I take for granted.

theScore: How has playing alongside Kelsey Plum this season helped your development as a 3-point shooter?

Jackson: When Kelsey Plum is driving down the lane, the (opposing) team is going to collapse on her. So, just making sure I'm trying to be in her window so she can see me. Of course, she can make that shot as well, but I feel like KP has been doing a really great job of finding us and getting to her spots as well. Being able to play with someone with such a strong basketball mind and a very high IQ has been amazing. I feel like she's not (only) doing wonders for my game physically, but also mentally. Just gives me little nuggets, talking to me, giving me confidence, and things of that nature.

theScore: Candace Parker is the only Sparks player who scored more points than you during their rookie campaign. What's it like to be mentioned alongside someone you looked up to, as well as a fellow Tennessee Lady Volunteers alumna?

Jackson: To even be in the same conversation - as the great that she is - is nothing I will ever take lightly. She's an amazing player. But not only that, she's an amazing person. What she's done for the women's game. I feel like she made it cool for taller players to be able to handle the ball, shoot the ball, and play guard-like. She just had an all-around game. ... To kind of have a similar journey with her has been something that I truly cherish.

theScore: Cameron Brink was establishing herself among the WNBA's top rim-protectors before an ACL injury ended her rookie season early. How excited are you to have her back on the floor?

Jackson: I cannot wait to have Cam back. Just being able to play with someone with the defensive ability that she has - teams are afraid of her. Teams can't just make a regular layup on her. You probably have to do a step-through or pray that something else happens. Cam is very intimidating in that paint. You're not just going to get any shot over her. I feel like that's something that this team really needs. We've been doing a good job at filling those shoes, but I feel like Cam just brings another edge. What she has cannot be taught.

theScore: You entered the league with Brink last season. Do you ever talk with her about how special it'd be to lead the Sparks back into the playoffs and competing for titles once again?

Jackson: We literally had that conversation draft night: What can we (potentially) do (together)? When we got here, our first week of training camp, we were talking about it again. ... That's something that we both have in mind. We want to bring them back to what they used to be.