Rickea Jackson is grabbing headlines even while sidelined. The Los Angeles Sparks forward went viral this week after a video of her reaction to a press conference question involving her boyfriend, James Pearce Jr., made the rounds online.
When asked to name a celebrity she hopes will attend a game this season—excluding Pearce—Jackson’s eyes widened in surprise. She smiled, then laughed off the question. The heart-eyed moment, caught on camera and posted by Bleacher Report, quickly spread across social media.
Rickea Jackson is currently in concussion protocol. She missed the Sparks’ recent game against the Phoenix Mercury after suffering a facial injury during a matchup with the Minnesota Lynx. Jackson did not travel with the team. Before the injury, she played in two games, scoring 13 points in her debut against the Golden State Valkyries and eight in her second outing.
Rickea Jackson Spotted Supporting James Pearce Jr. During NFL Draft Night in Charlotte
Jackson appeared alongside Pearce in what became one of the most talked-about moments of the 2025 NFL Draft. On April 24, the Atlanta Falcons traded up to select Pearce with the No. 26 overall pick.
The broadcast clip, shared by the NFL and ESPN, showed Pearce at home in Charlotte, North Carolina, surrounded by family as he got the call.
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“The Los Angeles Rams have traded the 26th pick to the Atlanta Falcons,” Roger Goodell said. “With the 26th pick in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Atlanta Falcons select James Pearce Jr., defensive end, Tennessee.”
As the room erupted, fans quickly noticed Rickea Jackson sitting beside him. She was seen rubbing his leg and celebrating with his family. Although neither had publicly confirmed their relationship at the time, the clip fueled rumors that had been building for months.
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Later that night, Jackson posted on X, “Soooo I have a doppelganger. Wow.” The post, which racked up over a million views, added more fuel to the speculation.
Fans React to Rickea Jackson and James Pearce Jr. Relationship Going Public
Jackson and Pearce both played at the University of Tennessee. Jackson was drafted No. 4 overall by the Sparks in 2024 after two standout seasons with the Lady Vols. Pearce, meanwhile, led Tennessee with 17.5 sacks across two seasons and ran a 4.47 40-yard dash at the NFL Combine—the fastest time among edge rushers.
Their past together and recent public appearances have sparked plenty of online buzz. One fan posted, “Fell to my knees when I saw Rickea Jackson sitting next to James Pearce Jr. on draft night.” Another wrote, “Dude is winning. Maybe the biggest draft GF flex ever.”
LA Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Celebrates Boyfriend James Pearce Jr. Getting Drafted by the Atlanta Falcons! 🥹✨pic.twitter.com/2TZWLakHfu
— I talk hoops 🏀 (@trendyhoopstars)
Another joked, “Dawg I thought my eyes was deceiving me.”
Even without an official announcement, the couple has been spotted together multiple times and follows each other on Instagram. Their appearance on draft night was the clearest confirmation yet of their relationship.