Sparks Select Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson and McKenzie Forbes in the 2024 WNBA Draft Presented by State Farm

In the 2024 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm, the Los Angeles Sparks selected Cameron Brink (Stanford University) at number 2 overall, Rickea Jackson (University of Tennessee) at number 4 and McKenzie Forbes (University of Southern California) at number 28.

Brink is the second Stanford player the Sparks have selected as a lottery pick since Nneka Ogwumike was drafted first overall in 2012. During the 23-24 season, the 6-4 forward averaged 17.4 points, 11.9 rebounds, shot 51.1 percent from the field and led the NCAA with 3.7 blocks per game. Following an impressive senior campaign, she was named the Naismith Defensive Player of the Year, AP All-American, a Wooden Award All-American and 2024 WBCA Lisa Leslie Award which is given to the NCAA’s top center. In the Pac-12, she’s been awarded Player of the Year two times (2022, 2024), Defensive Player of the Year three times (2022-2024) while also winning four conference championships and the 2021 NCAA National Championship.

“Cameron Brink is one of the best players to come out of the Pac-12 in years. Her size and versatility will fit very well in our fast-paced offense, and her rim protection has the potential to make a significant impact,” said General Manager Raegan Pebley. “She has been coached by the legendary Tara VanDerveer and we’re confident the mentorship and coaching she has received will help her have an impact in LA.”

Jackson averaged 20.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game in 23-24 and was a finalist for the Cheryl Miller Award which is awarded to the best small forward in Division I. She was also a First Team All-SEC selection and earned an AP All-America Honorable Mention in 2022-23 and 2023-24 after transferring from Mississippi State in 2022. The 6-2 forward from Detroit averaged 19.6 points per game over her two seasons with the Lady Vols, good for fourth in program history behind third-ranked Chamique Holdsclaw (20.4) and just ahead of Candace Parker (19.4).

“Rickea Jackson is a competitor that will complement our quick style of play very well. She proved herself as a leader and go-to scorer on her team at Tennessee and led multiple categories in the SEC. Rickea has so much versatility in how she can score and who she can defend. We are excited about the potential she brings with her to become a dynamic player on both ends of the floor.”

Forbes led the Trojans to their first Pac-12 Tournament championship this season and scored 26 points in the title game where she was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. She was also named to the 2024 All-Pac 12 team, after averaging 14.3 points, 3.1 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game while shooting 37.4 from three throughout the season. Forbes played one season with University of California Berkeley, and two with Harvard University before joining the Trojans.

“I’ve been able to watch McKenzie Forbes when she was at Harvard as well as here at USC,” Pebley said. “Her consistency has always shown up and she desires challenging environments and wants to win. She comes from right here in our backyard and we couldn’t have asked for our pick to go any better.”

“What a fun night for the LA Sparks! We are excited about the addition of Cameron, Rickea and McKenzie,” said head coach Curt Miller. “As we evaluated players during their games and practices in-person, studied their film and analytics, and spent time getting to know each of them individually and the people around them, we identified players we had confidence would be additive to our vision and culture here in LA. We looked for those that had the skill, discipline, conviction, and resiliency to help us build towards a WNBA Championship. We are fired up for our upcoming training camp and working with our outstanding draft class as well as the rest of the team.”