Ready for her close-up: Los Angeles Sparks star Rickea Jackson and Skechers debut the SKX Full-Court Press sneakers

Rickea Jackson was the first WNBA player on Skechers’ basketball roster last July. One year later, the Los Angeles Sparks’ forward is now the face of the California-based company’s latest basketball sneaker release, the SKX Full-Court Press.

The shoe will release on Wednesday, July 30, and will launch in two colorways: a predominantly pink pair and a white-based version with blue accents. The low-top Full-Court Press features a wraparound TPU Versa Wing in the midsole designed to provide added stability during quick movements. A Goodyear rubber outsole with a herringbone pattern enhances traction during directional changes, while Move Foam offers lightweight cushioning designed to last through a full game.

“My favorite features are the combination of comfort, support, and versatility,” Jackson told Andscape. “The shoe gives me a stable base, which helps with quick cuts and changes in direction, but it’s also lightweight and moves naturally with my foot. That balance lets me play fast and confidently without worrying about discomfort or restriction.”

“Off the court, Skechers lets me express my personal style with sneakers that are fun, stylish, and easy to pair with my wardrobe. Wearing them in the tunnel is just another way I show up feeling confident and true to myself, whether I’m stepping onto the court or into the spotlight.”

Jackson, who averages almost 14 points per game during her sophomore campaign, is also getting an SKX Full-Court Press player edition (PE) inspired by her moniker, “Beauty and the Beast.”

She will lace up the PE for the Sparks’ August 5 matchup against the Indiana Fever.

“It was a nickname that Lisa Leslie called me,” said Jackson. “I think it was during one of the Unrivaled games when she was the announcer. She just said it explains me so much as a hooper and a person.” 

Taking inspiration from the WNBA star and the Disney film, the Beauty and the Beast PEs feature a black silhouette adorned with a rose-pattern mesh upper and an embroidered scar detail on the forefoot. Asymmetrical color details on the tongue, sockliner and logo accent the shoe, and they come equipped with ribbon-like shoelaces that Jackson described as “princessy” when Cari Sanchez, Skechers’ senior product manager, surprised her with a pair during WNBA All-Star Weekend.

Visually, the sneakers reflect the duality that the Sparks’ star has exhibited since entering her professional career. Her toughness on the court is as impressive as the beauty she exhibits off it, with her keen fashion sense making her a consistent fixture in tunnel ‘fits highlights.

“We designed the SKX Full-Court Press for players who work every inch of the court to change a game’s momentum and earn that win at the final buzzer,” said Ben Stewart, Vice President, Skechers Technical Performance Division. “Rickea is the perfect player to help us launch the SKX Full-Court Press. She’s the first WNBA player on our team and exudes confidence under pressure both on and off the court as fans will see in her new Skechers Basketball campaign.”

The upcoming general release of SKX Full-Court Press will be available on Skechers’ website, at select Skechers stores, and at select retailers around the world.

Jackson, a 2024 WNBA All-Rookie selection, is part of a Skechers Basketball team that includes fellow WNBA players Kiki Irafen and Jackie Young, as well as NBA players Julius Randle, Joel Embiid, OG Anunoby, Norman Powell, Terance Mann, Jabari Walker and Josh Green.