LOS ANGELES, CA – Heading into Thursday night’s WNBA Draft, the Los Angeles Sparks already had the 10th overall selection but newly appointed GM and head coach Derek Fisher wasn’t satisfied with just one pick in the top-10.
Fisher made a trade with the Dallas Wings to acquire the seventh overall pick and a 2022 second round pick for the Sparks’ 2022 first round pick. He used that seventh overall pick to select Jasmine Walker, a forward from the University of Alabama who averaged 19 points and 9 rebounds in her senior year with the Crimson Tide.
With the 10th overall selection, the Sparks decided to take guard Stephanie Watts from the University of North Carolina. Watts averaged 11 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3 assists with the Tar Heels in her senior year.
Fisher clearly saw something in both of these young players as he tries to shift the culture of the Sparks and create depth at every position.
“Jasmine and Stephanie are both players that we’ve had circled on the board for a while,” Fisher said. “They continue to both gain interest around the league as the college season went on and played out. Both had really good seasons and they both fit what we wanted to continue to add, similar to the decisions we made in free agency.”
Fisher also acknowledged there were intangibles that both Walker and Watts brought to the table that sparked more interest.
“When see a player that has grown and developed and gotten better at the rate that she has, it confirms for you that she’s willing to do the work to continue to improve,” Fisher said of Walker. “She was more of a player that we didn’t want people to know.”
Fisher commented on Watts’ strength and toughness overcoming injuries in her college career as what stood about her.
“Most players on the women’s side have been through injuries at the collegiate level or in high school and they learn how to bounce back from difficult things at early and Stephanie is one of those people,” Fisher said. “Even though she’s a first year player, she’s a grown woman. She can come in and handle the responsibilities that come with being a pro.”
Walker is excited about the opportunity to earn her spot and is embracing the challenge of showing what she can do for the Sparks.
“I never back down from a challenge,” Walker said. “Challenges are what uplift me. I’m not one of those people who will back down from challenges. I always take challenges and just go for it.”
Watts also spoke confidently about her abilities and mindset about trying to help this LA Sparks team right away.
“I can do whatever I believe enough to do, and I think I can do whatever I put my mind to,” Watts said. “I have the work ethic to get through it, I have the motor, and I have the mindset. I’m just going to come play my game and do what I know I can do.”
Both Walker and Watts are not short of confidence or skills and both will be put to the test on a new-look and deep Sparks roster, where nothing is guaranteed. However, Fisher clearly believes these two could be something special at the next level.
