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DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell steal the spotlight in Chicago after-party photos
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- DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell steal the spotlight in Chicago after-party photos
DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell steal the spotlight in Chicago after-party photos originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
DiJonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell brought some serious WNBA star power to a recent after-party in Chicago. The three players were photographed together at an event connected to the Chicago stop of Lil Wayne's "20 Years of Carter Classics" tour, according to Athlete Vanity. The concert took place Friday, July 17, at Huntington Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island, with 2 Chainz appearing as a special guest.
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Although the concert had already ended by the time the pictures began circulating Wednesday, the photos gave WNBA fans a glimpse of Carrington, Jackson and Burrell enjoying themselves away from the basketball court. Each player showed off her individual style while posing together at the event. The trio's appearance created a memorable crossover between basketball, music and fashion during the middle of the WNBA season.
"Dijonai Carrington, Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell at the after party of 2Chainz's '20 Years of Carter Classics' Tour in Chicago," Athlete Vanity wrote on X .
WNBA trio makes most of night out in Chicago
The timing of the event made the appearance particularly interesting for Jackson and Burrell.
The Los Angeles Sparks played the Chicago Sky on July 17, the same day as Lil Wayne's concert. Los Angeles then traveled to Arlington for a July 19 game against the Dallas Wings , placing the two Sparks players in Chicago at exactly the right time.
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Opportunities to enjoy a major concert can be difficult to find during the WNBA season. Games, practices, travel and recovery leave players with limited time away from basketball, making the Chicago event a chance for Jackson and Burrell to enjoy a brief break during a demanding road trip. Carrington joined the two Sparks teammates for the after-party photos, adding another recognizable WNBA personality to the gathering.
Lil Wayne's tour celebrates the lasting influence of his "Tha Carter" album series. The addition of 2 Chainz made the Chicago performance an even bigger attraction for fans of two artists whose music has remained closely connected to basketball culture.
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Rickea Jackson and Rae Burrell share Tennessee connection
Jackson and Burrell have plenty in common beyond their current roles with the Sparks. Both players attended Tennessee before becoming first-round WNBA draft picks. Los Angeles selected Burrell with the ninth overall pick in 2022 and added Jackson with the fourth selection two years later.
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Burrell has taken a significant step forward during the 2026 season, becoming a more consistent scoring option for Los Angeles. She entered Wednesday averaging 12.7 points, 2.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists while shooting 45.4 percent from the field and 37.5 percent from beyond the arc. Jackson has also become an important part of the Sparks' young core, giving Los Angeles two former Lady Volunteers capable of making an impact on and off the court.
Carrington, meanwhile, has built a substantial following through her play, personality and willingness to express herself. Her appearance with Jackson and Burrell made the photos an immediate conversation starter. WNBA players routinely receive attention for their tunnel outfits and other pregame fashion choices. This time, Carrington, Jackson and Burrell did not need an arena entrance to command the spotlight.
Lil Wayne and 2 Chainz may have been the featured performers in Chicago, but the three WNBA standouts made the after-party pictures their own.
