Sparks’ Rickea Jackson asks court for protection from James Pearce Jr.

Saying she fears for her life, Sparks forward Rickea Jackson has filed a motion seeking protection from her ex-boyfriend, Atlanta Falcons power forward James Pearce Jr.

Miami-Dade County (Florida) Judge Heloiza Correa granted Jackson’s initial request for protection on February 9 and a permanent injunction hearing is set for April 21. Pearce was ordered not to have contact with Jackson or come within 500 feet of his home or place of employment.

“James threatened to kill me, James threatened to harm me, James threatened to hurt me, James threatened to put a bag over my head, and James verbally and physically abused me on more than one occasion,” Jackson wrote in her court declaration.

Jackson, 24, also filed a notice with the court saying she was willing to testify against Pearce. His initial request for an injunction for protection against dating violence — essentially a restraining order — was filed two days after Pearce’s Feb. 7 arrest for allegedly ramming his Lamborghini SUV into his car more than once and doing the same to a police car in Doral, Florida.

Pearce, 22, faces criminal charges of aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, aggravated stalking, aggravated battery and fleeing from a police officer. He also faces a misdemeanor charge of resisting a police officer and nine traffic violations.

“Mr. Pearce maintains his innocence and urges the public to understand that while the allegations have the power to shape a narrative, it is not a complete and complete story,” Pearce’s attorney, Jacob Nunez, told AP shortly after the arrest. “We look forward to vigorously defending our client.”

In a court filing, Jackson said she broke up with Pearce weeks before the incident that led to his arrest. She said Pearce offered her $200,000 to stay in a relationship with him and his behavior towards her became increasingly alarming. According to ESPN, at least seven other 911 calls to police in the months leading up to the Feb. 7 incident reported that Pearce was stalking or harassing an unnamed girlfriend.

A police report says Jackson and Pearce’s relationship began three years ago, when both were star athletes at Tennessee.

Pearce was chosen by the Falcons in the first round of the 2025 draft with a pick acquired from the Rams. The 6-foot-5, 243-pound rusher finished third for AP Defensive Rookie of the Year after recording 10.5 sacks.

Jackson was a first-round pick of the Sparks in 2024. The 6-2 forward became a star in her second season, garnering MVP votes after averaging 14.7 points, 3.2 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

“She’s a sweet person, a gentle athlete, a smooth basketball player,” Sparks coach Lynne Roberts said in 2025. “She makes hard things look really easy…she makes things look effortless, and I know that’s not the case.”

Jackson and Pearce’s relationship became volatile in January when the Falcons star admitted in a police report obtained by ESPN that he believed Jackson was cheating on him.

The Feb. 7 incident was described in Jackson’s court filing and a police report. Jackson was trying to get away from Pearce, who was following her in her car, trying to open her car door at a stop and crashing into her car more than once as she tried to enter the Doral Police Department parking lot “because I knew James was going to hurt me,” Jackson said.

An officer pointed a gun at Pearce and ordered him to the ground. However, Pearce got back into his car. The officer tried to open the door, but Pearce closed it and drove away, his car clipping an officer’s left knee.

Police chased him and Pearce crashed at an intersection before fleeing on foot. Police said they caught up with him and he resisted arrest. He was released after posting $20,500 bail.