Let’s take a look at LA Sparks 2024 Season Recap/Review. This is Sports News LA first season covering the Sparks! For the 2024 season, the Sparks never really had a chance and had a losing record for the whole season. Sparks missed the playoffs for the 4th season in a row. They didn’t have any stars but do have a lot of potential. Sparks 2024 #2 pick, Cameron Brink, had a season-ending ACL injury after just 15 games. They finished with a record of 8 wins - 32 losses, finishing the season in 12th/Last place in the WNBA. They went 5-15 at home and 3-17 on the road. Sparks averaged 78.4 points per game and allowed 85.6 per game. A tough year but they’re only going up from here. Hopefully they can secure the #1 pick in next years draft. Let's take a 2024 season review on the Los Angeles Sparks.
Head Coach: Curt Miller (2nd year, fired 9/25/24)
General Manager: Karen Bryant (2nd year)
LA Sparks roster review:
The Sparks rolled with 15 different players playing this season for them.
FORWARDS -
The Forwards were the Sparks strongest position players this season. So who were the forwards?
First off, the LA Sparks best player this year and only 2024 All-Star, Dearica Hamby. She also played in the 2024 Summer Olympics and was the AP Most Improved Player. Hamby averaged 17.3 PPG (points, best on team and 11th best in WNBA), 9.2 RPG (rebounds, best on team and 5th best in the league, 3.5 APG (assists), 1.7 SPG (steals, team lead), 0.2 BPG (blocks). What a year she had, Hamby’s best in her career! On June 13, 2024, Hamby signed a one-year contract extension with the Sparks so she’ll be back next year!
Next, the LA Sparks #4 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Rickea Jackson. Jackson was on the AP All-Rookie Team. She averaged 13.4 PPG (2nd best on team), 3.9 RPG, 1.5 APG. Not bad for a rookie!
Next, the LA Sparks #2 overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft, Cameron Brink. Unfortunately, her season was cut short after 15 games, when she suffered a torn ACL in a game on June 18. She was also supposed to play in the 2024 Summer Olympics if it wasn’t for the injury. Brink averaged 7.5 PPG, 5.3 RPG, 1.7 APG, 2.3 BPG (led the team and basically 2nd in the WNBA if she maintained that and played every game), 1.1 SPG (2nd on team). She didn’t put up too many points but was great defensively as well. Can’t wait to see her next year!
Next, Azurá Stevens. She didn’t start her season until 20 games in as she was recovering from an arm injury. Stevens averaged 9.6 PPG, 7.0 RPG (2nd on team), 1.9 APG. On August 22, 2024, Stevens signed a one-year contract extension with the Sparks.
Finally, Stephanie Talbot. She averaged 3.5 PPG, 2.7 RPG, 2.1 APG. Nice role player for the Sparks. On August 22, 2024, Talbot signed a one-year contract extension with the Sparks.
GUARDS -
The Sparks lacked some good Guards this year but nonetheless, had some solid ones. So who were the Guards?
First off, Odyssey Sims. Sims didn’t join the Sparks until August when she signed three 7-day contracts before being signed to the rest of the season. She averaged 9.8 PPG (third in team), 1.7 RPG, 5.1 APG (led team). Unknown yet if she’ll be back next season.
Next, Aari McDonald who completed her first year with the Sparks. She averaged 8.7 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 3.7 APG (2nd on team).
Next up, Lexie Brown. She averaged 8.1 PPG, 2.3 RPG, 3.3 APG, 1.1 SPG.
Next, Kia Nurse who completed her first year with the Sparks. She averaged 7.6 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.3 APG.
Next up, Rae Burrell. She averaged 5.9 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 1.1 APG.
Next, Layshia Clarendon who completed their final season and announced their retirement on September 20, 2024 after eleven seasons. On May 15, 2024, in the first game of the season, Clarendon recorded their first career triple double. Clarendon averaged 4.3 PPG, 1.8 RPG, 2.6 APG. They missed many games after the Olympic break due to mental health reasons.
Next up, Zia Cooke, Sparks 2023 10th overall draft pick. She averaged 3.6 PPG, 0.6 RPG, 0.6 APG.
Lastly, Crystal Dangerfield. Sparks signed her to three 7-day contracts before signing her for the rest of the season. She averaged 3.3 PPG, 1.0 RPG, 2.0 APG.
CENTERS -
Sparks didn’t really have a true starting Center but rolled a lot with just a few. Azurá Stevens fits under this postion as well.
First off, Li Yueru who completed her first year with the Sparks. She primarily served as a back up center. Yueru averaged 5.1 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 0.6 APG.
Lastly, Queen Egbo. She only was with the Sparks for 7 days. Egbo averaged 1.0 PPG and 1.5 RPG.
So, that's everybody who played at least 1 game for the Sparks this season. No stars but a lot of potential, just need to sign some great players this off-season.
Of the players that played this season, Sparks will have 5 free agents (not including Queen Igbo who is now with another team). According to Spotrac, they have $67,743 cap space to re-sign those players or find new ones. Not a lot. Those Free agents include:
Kia Nurse (UFA)
Aari McDonald (RFA)
Li Yueru (Reserved)
Crystal Dangerfield (UFA)
Odyssey Sims (UFA)
The LA Sparks can become a good team next year if they sign a few great players. They got a nice core of Hamby, Brink, Jackson, and Stevens. Add a few nice players and give Brink/Jackson time to progress and Sparks will be good.
Sparks Team Awards:
Most Valuable Player: Dearica Hamby. She led the team in scoring, rebounds, and steals. She was also the only All-Star and had one of her best seasons in career. No doubt this award belongs to Hamby.
Best Newcomer: Rickea Jackson. It would have belonged to Cameron Brink but Rickea played every game and had a better year. She was 2nd on the team in scoring and was on the AP All-Rookie Team. Can’t wait to see her next year!
So there you have it. That's a quick recap of the LA Sparks for the 2024 season. See you next season!
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