Three former female University of Tennessee (Vols) basketball players took part in WNBA games on Tuesday.
The Los Angeles Sparks (13-15) defeated the Indiana Fever (17-13) with a score of 100-91 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles, California.
Rickea Jackson was a key player for the Sparks, playing 32 minutes and contributing 25 points, five rebounds, and two assists. She was incredibly efficient, hitting all 18 of her field goal attempts, making one out of three 3-point attempts, and converting one out of two free throws.
Jackson is in her second professional season after being selected as the fourth overall pick in the first round of the 2024 WNBA Draft.
Rae Burrell added seven points, three rebounds, one assist, and one steal for Los Angeles. She successfully made all three of her field goal attempts and all three of her free throws.
Burrell played for the Lady Vols from 2018 to 2022 and was chosen ninth overall in the first round of the 2022 WNBA Draft by Los Angeles.
In another game, the New York Liberty (19-10) beat the Dallas Wings (8-22) by 85-76 at Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Isabel Harrison contributed four points, five rebounds, and one block for the Liberty. She made one out of three field goal attempts and both of her free throws.
Harrison played at Tennessee from 2011 to 2015 under coaches Pat Summitt and Holly Warlick. She was picked 12th overall in the first round of the 2015 WNBA Draft by Phoenix.
Fan Take: This update is exciting for WNBA fans as it highlights the continued impact of Tennessee’s basketball program on the professional league. With multiple former Vols thriving in the WNBA, it underscores the growing talent pool and increasing competitiveness in women’s basketball, promising an even brighter future for the sport.
