25° and Sunny
Celebrating Excellence and Legacy WNBA Star Ricky Jackson
Detroit Edison Public School Academy to Retire WNBA Star Ricky Jackson’s Jersey in Ceremony Celebrating Excellence and Legacy
The school will honor its most decorated alum, the first Michigan charter school graduate to play in the WNBA, during halftime on December 23.
DETROIT, MI — December 20, 2025 — Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA) announced today that it will retire the jersey of Rickea Jackson, a Los Angeles Sparks standout and the school’s most accomplished basketball alumnus. The ceremony will be held at halftime of the women’s varsity basketball game against Grosse Pointe South on Monday, December 23, at approximately 6:45 PM at the DEPSA gymnasium (3403 St. Aubin St., Detroit).
The event, themed “Celebrating Excellence, Legacy, and Inspiration,” will permanently honor Jackson, who led DEPSA to three consecutive MHSAA Class C state championships and was named Michigan’s Miss Basketball in 2019. Her No.5 jersey will be the first retired by the school’s girls' basketball program, commemorating a player once called “the greatest girls basketball player in Michigan Ever” by a Detroit Free Press sportswriter.
From DEPSA to the WNBA: A Historic Journey
Jackson’s journey from DEPSA to professional stardom represents a historic first. After a stellar college career at Mississippi State and Tennessee, where she was a two-time First-Team All-SEC selection, she was selected fourth overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2024 WNBA Draft. She became the first-ever Michigan charter school alumnus to play in the WNBA.
Her immediate impact in the league underscores the significance of this honor. As a 2024 WNBA All-Rookie Team member, she averaged 13.4 points per game. She also made history by becoming the first player from her celebrated 2024 draft class to score 1,000 career points and the first WNBA player to sign an endorsement deal with Skechers.
Statements from Leadership
“At NPFE, our mission is to prepare students for success in college and in life, and Rickea Jackson embodies that mission completely,” said Ralph Bland, Founder and CEO of New Paradigm for Education. “Her jersey hanging in our gym will be a daily reminder to every student that with dedication and character, their origins do not limit their destiny. She has made our entire community profoundly proud.”
Monique Brown, Jackson’s former coach at DEPSA, who also spoke at Jackson’s draft watch party in 2024, shared her personal pride. “Coaching Rickea was witnessing greatness in the making. Her unmatched work ethic was evident every single day. To see her grow from a state champion here at Edison into a role model on the national stage is my greatest point of pride as a coach. This retirement isn’t just about basketball; it’s about inspiring the next generation of young women at our school to dream just as big.”
Event Details for the Public
The jersey retirement ceremony is open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early for the women’s varsity basketball game, which tips off at 6:00 PM. The school will celebrate Jackson’s career with a video tribute and presentations before her jersey is raised to the rafters.
About Detroit Edison Public School Academy (DEPSA)
Detroit Edison Public School Academy, part of the New Paradigm for Education (NPFE) network, is a PK-8 charter school committed to preparing compassionate and caring global citizens. The school provides an evidence-based curriculum, including the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme, and a supportive environment for over 1000 students. DEPSA’s athletic programs emphasize excellence, discipline, and leadership, principles exemplified by alumni like Rickea Jackson.
Media Contact:
Jerome Espy
Nfinit PR
(248) 417-9567
