Mist BC coach Phil Handy matches Rickea Jackson’s style to 2x NBA champion

After a solid rookie season in the WNBA, Rickea Jackson is gearing up to make an impact in Unrivaled as well. Ahead of the 3x3 league's tipoff, Jackson's Unrivaled coach has likened her to an all-time great of the sport.

As per USA TODAY's Meghan L. Hall, Mist BC coach Phil Handy made this confident claim when talking about the 6-foot-2 forward:

"I want you to think KD [Kevin Durant]," Hall quoted Handy as saying.

Hall's Tweet goes on to say that Handy cited Jackson's "length and ability on the court" as the basis for his comparison.

While any comparison to one of the NBA's all-time scoring leaders is sure to raise eyebrows, Handy may have a point here.

For starters, the long-limbed Jackson has shown how she can harness her length on both ends of the floor during the 2024 WNBA season. In her first 40 games for the Los Angeles Sparks, Jackson was adept at shooting over opponents, as well as bothering shots and passing lanes.

The more striking similarity, of course, is her bag of tricks on the offensive end. Jackson's soft touch, turnaround moves, and smooth fadeaway are definitely reminiscent of Easy Money Sniper:

One more important thing to note: Handy has a lot of credibility as far as basketball claims are concerned. The longtime NBA assistant coach has worked with the likes of LeBron James, Kawhi Leonard, and the late Kobe Bryant. Three NBA titles happen to be on his coaching resume.

If anyone understands greatness and the potential for it, it's Handy. And now, he'll strive to bring the young Jackson to unprecedented heights.

Rickea Jackson will team up with Unrivaled co-founder

After a year and a half of preparation, Unrivaled will tip off on Jan. 17 in Miami. One of the women responsible for getting the league off the ground will be seeing hardcourt action alongside Rickea Jackson, under Handy's tutelage.

Breanna Stewart, who co-founded the league with Napheesa Collier, is one of six players on Mist BC's roster. Stewart, who boasts three WNBA rings, will team up with other former champions: Courtney Vandersloot, a seven-time assists leader, and Jewell Loyd, who led the WNBA in scoring two seasons ago.

Rounding up the Mist BC lineup are DiJonai Carrington, the 2024 Most Improved Player, and Aaliyah Edwards, Jackson's fellow WNBA rookie who hails from UConn.