NFL
By: Joe Cardoso
The 2026 WNBA season is almost here, and for the LA Sparks, a chance to have a season to remember. The roster, like most in the W, had a bit of a shakeup, so new faces will get an opportunity to have a role in the team’s success. After years of almost making it, this offseason feels different due to the moves made; we shouldn’t have the flashes, near misses, or rebuilds of the past. The fan base, which is one of the league’s most loyal, deserves better and is a big reason I picked this team to cover all season. GM Raegan Pebley made it clear on media day when he said
“We assembled this team to put ourselves in my position that would commit to the process and has the capacity to go win a championship.”
The Moves:
Welcome home, Nneka Ogwumike, the 10-time All-Star and 2016 MVP, is back after a decade away. She is still a post presence, a demon on defense, and a key locker room voice. A player who knows what it takes to lift a championship trophy and improve players around her. Add in Ariel Atkins, who was acquired from the Chicago Sky in a trade. Her resume speaks for itself, and her defense on the perimeter is elite, a tone setter for real. What do we get from Kelsey Plum in year 2? Last season, she broke pretty much every record in the franchise and then some. Making her 4th All-Star team in a row and adding on an AP All-WNBA second team spot. Plum dog is the engine of this Sparks car.
Dearica Hamby had a career year, pouring in 18.4 ppg along with shooting 57.2% from the floor. We can only hope for a repeat performance, which, if that happens, she should end up All-WNBA as one of the best forwards in the league.
Cameron Brink, I have written down as the player poised for a breakout season, she is already showing she is a great, not good, GREAT defender with her rim protection and rebounding. Without Azura Stevens gone, that means more responsibilities and a mentor in Ogwumike. Her game on the offensive end will improve as well. She appeared in a total of 19 games at a little over 12 minutes per game. Brink averaged 5.1 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 1.4 assists while shooting 42.7 percent from the field. Healthy and hungry, she will shut up those who think her off the court activties are more important than her play.
Steal of the Draft?:
With the 20th pick in this year’s past draft, the Sparks scooped up a real hooper in former Florida State guard Ta’Niya Latson, who didn’t do much except average 25.2 ppg her junior year. She transferred to South Carolina for her final season, a smart move to get WNBA-ready, and shot 45.5% from the floor for her career. Not just anyone gets an invite to Kelsey Plums Dawg Class camp; she did and now gets to play alongside some proven vets and coaches. Keep her name top of mind for all rookie team honors.
Bring Your Water Bottle:
Head coach Lynne Roberts is not shy about letting people know this team will run you out of the gym. And they have pieces to spread the floor, and should get plenty of high-quality shots up early and often. After leading the league in pace while placing second in points per game. The question we need to see answered is, does the roster match the system? The team has more length, more defense, and more vets who won’t shy away from the big moments. Take it from Kelsey Plum, who said: “Our depth and our talent are immense this year, and the mission is clear”. “We want to win now.”
Final Buzzer:
May 10th opener against the Las Vegas Aces will tell us quickly how real this team is. That’s right, I’m putting them to the test off the jump. How long will it take for the pieces to fall into place? Vets like Ogwumike and Atkins. Ms. Double-Double Hamby and a rookie who wakes up taking shots. Not since 2016 have the LA Sparks been called champions. Is this the team that changes all that promise and talk? Let the games begin.
