L.A. Sparks host media day and renewed optimism ahead of their season opener
Los Angeles Sparks new head coach Curt Miller talking to the media. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
TORRANCE, CA – Introducing a brand new staff, new players, and an overall new atmosphere and spirit as the Los Angeles Sparks hosted their 2023 Media Day at El Camino College, Thursday morning.
Laughter, smiles, sisterhood, solidarity, and mutual support filled the gym as Sparks players signed autographs, posed for pictures, and sat down for interviews with the media during the two-hour event.
Part of the reason it might feel that way for the Sparks is that family isn't just a metaphor for this Sparks team, it's in their literal DNA. Two pairs of sisters are on the current roster including former WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year, Cheney Ogwumike and former WNBA MVP and Champion, Nneka Ogwumike. Sisters Katie and Karlie Samuelson are also on the team.
"It really feels like a family reunion honestly," said power forward Chiney Ogwumike. "It feels fun, it comes back to the people. Everyone just enjoys each other."
"We've been killing it; I think one thing we've said this offseason is 'stay ready so you don't have to get ready," said Cheney. Ogwumike. "We have a lot of women on this team that stay ready."
Chemistry and camaraderie are huge points for the Sparks this season after finishing last place in the Western Conference the past two seasons due largely in part to chemistry issues in recent years.
New members of the Los Angeles Sparks from left to right, Dearica Hamby (F), Azura Stevens (C/F), and Jasmine Thomas (G) during media day. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
The Sparks' 25-43 record over the past 2 seasons is their worst multiyear stretch in franchise history and led to the firing of former Sparks head coach and Laker-legend Derek Fisher, last season.
The Sparks turned to Curt Miller as head coach this offseason, inking him to a multi-year deal as well as hiring Karen Bryant as their new General Manager in January. Miller's pedigree speaks for itself, with the former Coach-of-the-Year leading the Connecticut Suns to the WNBA Finals last season. Additionally, multiple Sparks players have played for Miller in the past.
"Curt and I go way back, he's an amazing professor," said Nneka Ogwumike. "My best years of basketball were under Curt and to be able to have that back, having that system back around me feels like I can be my best self."
Miller has been tasked with retooling the roster for a more cohesive fit and has made moves through free agency and the draft to help achieve that. Through the WNBA draft last month, the Sparks drafted Iowa center Monica Czinano and South Carolina guard Zia Cooke.
"It's been pretty crazy going from the NCAA Tournament, Final Four all that stuff to the draft being less than a week after that," said Czinano. "Finding out where you're going, a little bit of downtime, and then straight out to LA. A lot of change but in the best way. This is what we've dreamed of."
Los Angeles Sparks Monica Czinano (F/C) and Zia Cooke (G) during media day. Photo by Jerry Kelly/TGSportstv1.
Czinano and Cooke went from facing each other in one of the most anticipated Final Four matchups ever to being Sparks teammates less than two weeks later.
"After we lost to them (Czinano), there were no hard feelings," said Cooke. "Being able to be her teammate now, I get to see how awesome she is as a person. On the floor, I already knew she was good, but to be able to play with her now, I'm excited to be her teammate."
The rookies are also excited about the So Cal weather and the city itself, with both players relocating from Iowa and South Carolina.
"It's a dream come true. Each and every day I walk around with a smile," said Cooke. "We're in Cali, every day I'm going outside, the sun is out and I see palm trees. It gets no better than this."
The rookies, coupled with free agent signees former WNBA Champion Azure Stevens and Yang Liwei, who won a WCBA championship with Nneka Ogwumike on the Guandong Tigers, hope to bring renewed zeal and winning ways to the Sparks. Couple that with the leadership and championship pedigree, things are looking promising for the Sparks who last won the WNBA title in 2016.
"There's just a standard of excellence in our philosophy and in our way of life," said Nneka Ogwumike. "Because of my Nigerians, we're raised: 'if you fail… you try again. Or you find another way or you figure something out, you get creative."
With new players, new coaches, a new GM, and most importantly a renewed solidarity, resilience, and togetherness, the Sparks are optimistic this season.
"We're going to honor the rich legacy of this franchise," says coach Miller.
The Sparks tip off their regular season with a highly anticipated matchup against Britney Griner and the Phoenix Mercury at Crypto.com Arena on Friday, May 19 at 8 pm.