Along with getting a new head coach, the pathway to a brighter future for the Los Angeles Sparks will go through the WNBA Draft. The Sparks have a unique opportunity to upgrade their roster through the draft for the second straight year.
It is the second time in the last two years that the Sparks will take a Top 5 pick in the draft.
The Sparks were awarded the second overall selection thanks to the team’s placing in the WNBA lottery. Los Angeles will also draft a player at the No. 13 overall slot (second round) as well.
“We’re happy to have the second pick in next year’s draft,” Los Angeles Sparks General Manager Raegan Pebley said. “Holding a lottery pick in 2025’s deep draft guarantees we’ll be able to add an impactful player to our roster at a pivotal time in our history. Our staff
is already hard at work exploring all our options in the lottery and with our other three picks.”
With that no. 2 pick, Los Angeles will be in a good position to bolster its roster with an expected high-impact player. They will need it. There was optimism for the franchise after the Sparks picked Stanford star Cameron Brink as the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
“Cameron Brink is one of the best players to come out of the Pac-12 in years. Her size and versatility will fit very well in our fast-paced offense, and her rim protection has the potential to make a significant impact,” Pebley said after the Sparks drafted Brink. “She has been coached by the legendary Tara VanDerveer and we’re confident the mentorship and coaching she has received will help her have an impact in LA.”
That enthusiasm picked up a little bit more when the Sparks selected Rickea Jackson with the No. 4 pick.
“Rickea Jackson is a competitor that will complement our quick style of play very well. She proved herself as a leader and go-to scorer on her team at Tennessee and led multiple categories in the SEC. Rickea has so much versatility in how she can score and who she can defend. We are excited about the potential she brings with her to become a dynamic player on both ends of the floor,” remarked Pebley.
Jackson’s first year as a pro went as planned for the Spark. For the 2024 WNBA season, Jackson averaged 13.4 points and 3.9 rebounds per game. Those numbers got her on the WNBA All-Rookie Team. Brink would miss most of her rookie season after suffering a torn ACL in her left knee.
With Brink out of the lineup for most of the season, the Sparks fell to 8-32 and in last place in the Western Conference. The good news for the Sparks and their fans is that Los Angeles will have three young viable stars to watch for the 2025 WNBA season.
And if Brink returns and reaches her full potential, the Sparks will be one of those teams to look out for.
Dennis has covered and written about politics, crime, race, sports, and entertainment. Dennis currently covers the NFL, MLB, NBA, NCAA, and Olympic sports. Dennis is the editor of News4usonline.com and serves as the publisher of the Compton Bulletin newspaper. He earned a journalism degree from Howard University. Email Dennis at dfreeman@news4usonline.com