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Lady Vols in WNBA Update: September 9, 2024

KNOXVILLE, Tennessee. – As the 2024 WNBA regular season comes to a close, former Tennessee standouts have been showcasing their skills across the league.

beginner Rickea Jackson became the fourth player in Los Angeles Sparks history to score over 400 points in her rookie season, joining LVFL players Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike and Lisa Leslie.

The Seattle Storm, with Mercedes Russell and Jordan Horston on the roster, currently sit third in the Western Conference and fifth in the league, and have already secured a spot in the postseason.

The Chicago Sky with Diamond DeShields and Isabelle Harrison are in fourth place in the Western Conference and are fighting for the eighth and final playoff spot.

The Sparks, the Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell are in sixth place in the Western Conference (12th overall) and have been eliminated from the postseason despite key contributions from the Lady Vol duo.

Player Updates:

Rae Burrell

6'2 | GF | Los Angeles Sparks | 3rd Season

Rae Burrell (2018-22), who has appeared in 32 games for the Sparks this season, scored a season-high 18 points and grabbed five rebounds in 23 minutes of action against New York on August 28. During that game, she made seven of eight field goals and was flawless from the three-point line, converting all three attempts. Burrell has averaged 6.0 points and 14.9 minutes per game so far.

Next game: September 10 vs. Connecticut Sun (10:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass, Spectrum SportsNet, NBC Sports Boston)

Diamond DeShields

6'1 | G | Chicago Sky | Season 7

Since returning to the Sky this season, Diamond DeShields (2014-17) has appeared in 32 games. DeShields is averaging 4.5 points per game, with 1.3 assists and 1.4 rebounds while playing 13.8 minutes per game. DeShields has scored in double figures four times this season, and her most recent chance at double figures came on Sept. 6 when she scored 10 points in the Sky's win over Las Vegas.

Next game: September 11 vs. Washington Mystics (8:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass, The U, Monumental Sports Network)

Isabelle Harrison

6'3 | F | Chicago Sky | Season 8

Isabelle Harrison (2011-15) played 31 games in her first active season with the Sky. After missing 2023 due to injury, she is averaging 6.0 points and 3.2 rebounds in 14.5 minutes per game. In her last game on September 8, she scored a season-high 21 points on nine of 18 shots against Dallas, her fifth double-digit scoring performance of the year. She was also flawless from the free throw line, converting all three attempts and grabbing nine rebounds.

Next game: September 11 vs. Washington Mystics (8:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass, The U, Monumental Sports Network)

Jordan Horston

6'2 | F | Seattle Storm | 2nd season

In her second season in the league, Jordan Horston (2019-23) is averaging 7.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 23.1 minutes per game for the Storm. She has fully recovered from offseason shoulder surgery and is a mainstay for Seattle. Horston is coming off her 10th double-digit scoring game of the season, scoring 16 points against Phoenix on Sept. 7. She sank seven of eight field goal attempts, including 2 of 3 from beyond the three-point line.

Next game: September 11 at Los Angeles Sparks (10:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass Spectrum SportsNet, FOX 13+, Amazon Prime Video – Seattle)

Rickea Jackson

6'2 | F | Los Angeles Sparks | 1st season

In her first season with the Sparks, Rickea Jackson (2022-24) has appeared in all 35 of the Sparks' matchups, starting 30 of them. Jackson is averaging 12.8 points, 3.8 rebounds and 28.4 minutes per game while shooting 45.7 percent from the field and 78.7 percent from the free throw line. Jackson scored a career-high 25 points against Dallas on Aug. 25 and added 23 points against Connecticut on Sept. 8. The LVFL has now reached double figures in 24 appearances, including 12 of her last 13 games. During this recent streak, she is averaging 16.4 points per game.

Next game: September 10 vs. Connecticut Sun (10:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass, Spectrum SportsNet, NBC Sports Boston)

Mercedes Russell

6'6 | C | Seattle Storm | 7th season

In her seventh season with Seattle, Mercedes Russell (2013-18) continues to make a big impact on her team from the zone. This year, she has played in 32 games, averaging 3.4 points and 2.8 rebounds and shooting 52.2 percent in 14.6 minutes per game. On August 26, she scored a season-high eight points in a 17-minute game against Washington, and on September 7, she grabbed a season-high eight rebounds in 25 minutes against Phoenix.

Next game: September 11 at Los Angeles Sparks (10:00 p.m. ET on WNBA League Pass Spectrum SportsNet, FOX 13+, Amazon Prime Video – Seattle)

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