Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) is set to retire the jersey of Rickea Jackson, a WNBA star and the most decorated basketball player in the school's history. The ceremony, themed 'Celebrating Excellence, Legacy, and Inspiration', will take place during halftime of the women's varsity basketball game against Grosse Pointe South on December 23, 2024, at approximately 6:45 p.m. at the DEPSA gymnasium. Jackson's No. 5 jersey will be the first to be retired by DEPSA's girls' basketball program, a testament to her extraordinary impact on the program and beyond.
Jackson's journey from DEPSA to the professional ranks is a historic milestone. After standout collegiate careers at Mississippi State and Tennessee, where she earned two First-Team All-SEC selections, Jackson was drafted fourth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft, becoming the first Michigan charter school alumna to play in the WNBA. Her impact was immediate, as she was named to the 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team, averaging 13.4 points per game, and made history as the first player from her draft class to score 1,000 career points. She also became the first WNBA player to sign an endorsement deal with Skechers.
The event is open to the public, with a tip-off at 6:00 p.m., followed by a video tribute and presentations before Jackson's jersey is raised to the rafters. The ceremony is a celebration of Jackson's excellence, legacy, and inspiration, and it will serve as a reminder of the potential that students at DEPSA can achieve.
As Ralph Bland, Founder and CEO of New Paradigm for Education, stated, 'Rickea Jackson embodies our mission to prepare students for success in college and in life. Her jersey will remind students daily that where you start does not define where you can go.' Monique Brown, a former DEPSA coach, added, 'Coaching Rickea was witnessing greatness in the making. This moment is about more than basketball—it's about inspiring young women to dream big.'
