Last season taught Blue Devil fans what Reigan Richardson and Ashlon Jackson bring to Duke. Head coach Kara Lawson, however, could see it from day one.
Richardson, a senior, transferred to Duke following her freshman year at Georgia. When she started playing for the Blue Devils during her sophomore year, she quickly found her rhythm. With bigger shoes to fill during her junior season, Richardson excelled, most notably by leading the team in scoring as well as starting all 34 games. Her success from the arc improved, too — in the postseason, she shot 38% from downtown. Her performance during March Madness was seminal for the Blue Devil squad’s Sweet 16 run.
“She’s got such an outstanding work ethic,” Lawson said. “Reigan always works hard. It’s been fun to be around her as a senior.”
Jackson, a junior, came off of the bench during her freshman year but still was able to make a meaningful impact for the Blue Devils, particularly through her point totals, steals and blocks. Throughout her sophomore campaign she improved her skill set dramatically, leading to her starting 33 games for Duke, being second on the team in assists and 3-pointers and frequently putting up double-digit performances.
“Ashlon is vocal. She was like that when she got there as a freshman,” Lawson said at ACC Tipoff. “We really needed her voice last year as a sophomore … she kind of had to play like an upperclassman for us to be successful.”
Lawson pushes Richardson and Jackson because she sees their potential, and they answer her with trust.
“We have great trust and belief in one another, and so that allows us to get to extra places,” Lawson said. “Maybe earlier in their careers we couldn't get [there] because we were just building that. Now we have that, and I'm just excited every day I get with them.”
Both Richardson and Jackson cherish Duke’s Sisterhood, and the chemistry they have built with teammates both on and off the court. And between the two of them, they put an almost literal spin on The Sisterhood motto.
“It's really funny because me and Ash, we somehow end up with the same hairstyle, and somehow the coaches continue to get us mixed up,” Richardson said. “She's just a great friend, a great person to be around. On the court, she's relentless.”
Jackson is only an inch taller than Richardson, making mix-ups of the two players far too easy for their coaches and teammates. Aside from looking similar, Richardson and Jackson have formed a relationship built on a sisterly kind of love.
A year younger than Richardson, Jackson views the Charlotte native as her best friend, while also looking up to her as a player. Richardson sees Jackson as her first friend and first person who really wanted to interact with her when she joined the Blue Devils as a sophomore.
“A lot of people call us twins, but no, that's literally my best friend on and off the court,” Jackson said at Duke’s preseason media day Oct. 25.
This sisterly bond Richardson and Jackson have formed is something truly special. Richardson also believes this ties into their on-court chemistry, given that they spend so much time with each other off the court. Just as they may be perceived as sisters in the literal sense, this iconic duo also has put in a lot of similar targeted work this offseason.
Richardson is focused on refining her ability to finish off two feet, continuing to enhance her mid-range game and increasing her 3-point percentage. Knowing she would be taking on an elevated leadership role this year, it was crucial for Richardson to improve her skills before her senior season. Just as important, however, is her need to adjust her thinking. Specifically, Richardson has been trying to tell herself positive thoughts to remain focused and confident, critical developments before the onset of the season.
Throughout her time at Duke, Richardson has not been incredibly vocal on the court. This offseason, however, she tried to raise her voice to help serve as a player the underclassmen can look to for guidance. Lawson, for her part, hopes that the senior can become one of the best two-way players in the league, by improving her rebounding, reducing her turnover rate and shooting more consistently from the arc.
Like her “sister,” Jackson spent a great deal of her offseason working on conditioning. Lawson helped her tap into a physical side of herself she “didn’t even know existed,” looking for the China, Texas, native to elevate her pace so she can still impact the game when she’s tired.
By Jackson intentionally pushing herself to be in these uncomfortable situations during the offseason, she has set herself up for success during inevitable second-half battles against strong competition. She has also been trying to make her game more consistent, whether that means hustling for a ball, completing correct reads or just ensuring she is setting her teammates up for success.
“She's such a great teammate and such a great leader,” Lawson said of Jackson. “She's willing to do whatever for the team.”
Richardson and Jackson’s story could not be closer to exemplifying The Sisterhood. They have both elevated their games during last season and formulated targeted goals that will help them reach new heights this season. Tied to this is their remarkable similarity and tight-knit friendship, which will prove to be a vital asset to the Blue Devils this year as they try to advance further in March Madness.
Editor’s note: This piece is one of many in The Chronicle’s 2024-25 Duke women’s basketball preview. Check out the rest here.
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