Los Angeles Sparks sign WNBA player who their head coach knows very well

The Sparks have signed Alissa Pili to a 7-Day contract, the team announced on Sunday. Pili, who was the 8th overall pick in 2024, appeared in 36 games across her first two seasons with the Minnesota Lynx, averaging 2.2 points and 1.2 rebounds in 6.1 minutes per game. She was waived on July 12th and has been a free agent ever since.

Pili was an elite college player; as a freshman at the University of Southern California, she averaged 16.3 points per game.

The Sparks had 11 players on their roster before the signing — now, they’re at the league’s 12-player limit. In signing Pili, Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts reunited with one of the standout players she coached in Utah.

After Pili was waived, Roberts weighed in on Pili potentially becoming a Spark one day, per HER Game Network.

“I love her like a kid of my own,” Roberts said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do. She’ll end up somewhere and maybe someday I’ll get to coach her again.”

“She’s a hell of a player. She’ll land on her feet.”

In her senior season at the University of Utah, Pili was one of the most efficient scorers in the country, averaging 21.4 points per game on 55% shooting, while shooting 40.4% from beyond the arc.

The Sparks have several strong frontcourt players; Dearica Hamby (17.6 points, 8.1 rebounds), Azura Stevens (14.9 points, 8.5 rebounds), and Rickea Jackson (13.9 points) lead the way. Cameron Brink, last year’s No. 2 overall pick, is also back in the lineup after being sidelined for over a year due to an ACL tear.

Pili will have to battle for frontcourt minutes, but will have an opportunity to play for a coach who is intimately familiar with what she brings to the table.