Last Updated on August 12, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Los Angeles Sparks 2001 featured a balanced core led by Lisa Leslie, whose scoring, rebounding, and defensive presence made her the team’s centerpiece. Mwadi Mabika and DeLisha Milton-Jones provided reliable secondary offense, while Latasha Byears strengthened the frontcourt with rebounding and interior play. Nikki Teasley emerged as the primary facilitator, helping power an efficient offense supported by strong rebounding, solid defense, and consistent production across the starting lineup.

NO. PLAYER POS. HT. WT. DOB COLLEGE
0 Latasha Byears G-F 5-11 206 August 12, 1973 DePaul
4 Mwadi Mabika G 5-11 165 July 27, 1976 —
5 Ukari Figgs G 5-9 142 March 31, 1977 Purdue
8 DeLisha Milton-Jones F 6-1 185 September 11, 1974 Florida
9 Lisa Leslie C 6-5 170 July 7, 1972 USC
10 Nicky McCrimmon G 5-8 125 March 22, 1972 USC
17 Vedrana Grgin-Fonseca F 6-1 160 January 13, 1975 —
20 Wendi Willits G 5-7 — November 18, 1978 Arkansas
21 Tamecka Dixon G 5-9 148 December 14, 1975 Kansas
40 Nicole Levandusky G 5-8 — May 17, 1979 Xavier
51 Rhonda Mapp C 6-2 190 October 13, 1969 NC State

HeatingUp Impact Index: Regular Season Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 33.3 High (1.2) 19.5 9.6 2.4 3.4 92.66 The Sparks’ offense still revolved around Leslie’s interior dominance, but she also anchored the league’s most imposing defense. Season-long reporting highlighted her leadership during the title defense, while her ability to command double teams consistently opened clean perimeter looks for Los Angeles’ shooters. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA Finals MVP (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002), WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2002), All-WNBA First Team (2002)
Mwadi Mabika Starter/Star (1.1) 29.6 Medium (1.1) 11.2 4.6 3.1 1.8 49.01 Playing with far more confidence as a perimeter scorer, Mabika stretched defenses with her three-point shooting while remaining one of the club’s toughest wing defenders. Local coverage regularly described her as the outside threat that prevented opponents from collapsing entirely on Lisa Leslie. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002), All-WNBA First Team (2002)
Tamecka Dixon Starter/Star (1.1) 31.9 Medium (1.1) 11.7 2.9 3.9 1.0 47.92 Dixon quietly balanced the offense by handling secondary playmaking responsibilities and defending opposing guards. Michael Cooper consistently relied on her steady decision-making, and contemporaneous reporting still viewed her as one of the league’s more underrated backcourt players. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 29.3 Medium (1.1) 10.3 5.3 2.1 2.4 48.16 Milton-Jones embraced the defensive glue role, regularly switching across positions while providing rebounding and timely scoring. Independent coverage frequently praised her versatility, noting she could effectively guard almost anyone on the floor. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Ukari Figgs Starter/Star (1.1) 29.1 Low (1.0) 8.0 3.1 3.9 1.4 36.08 Figgs functioned as the connective piece in the starting lineup, organizing the offense and spacing the floor without demanding touches. Her unselfish approach allowed the Sparks’ primary scorers to operate comfortably within Michael Cooper’s system. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Latasha Byears Key Contributor (1.05) 23.1 Medium (1.1) 9.3 5.7 0.9 1.7 40.19 Byears brought instant physicality and efficient finishing off the bench after arriving from Sacramento. Season coverage consistently pointed to her offensive rebounding and interior scoring as major upgrades that strengthened Los Angeles’ second unit. WNBA Champion (2002)
Rhonda Mapp Bench (1.0) 13.2 Low (1.0) 4.2 2.6 0.5 0.7 16.00 Mapp supplied experienced frontcourt depth, contributing toughness and rebounding in limited minutes. Contemporary player-specific coverage was limited, with most discussion centering on her value as a reliable reserve. WNBA Champion (2002)
Nicky McCrimmon Bench (1.0) 12.5 Low (1.0) 2.3 0.4 2.3 0.8 11.60 McCrimmon’s primary responsibility was keeping the offense organized whenever the starters rested. Coaches continued to trust her composure and ball handling despite a modest offensive role. WNBA Champion (2002)
Vedrana Grgin-Fonseca Bench (1.0) 9.3 Low (1.0) 3.0 1.5 0.5 0.2 10.40 Limited contemporary coverage is available, though available reporting portrayed Grgin-Fonseca as experienced wing depth whose value came from defensive effort and floor spacing in short appearances. WNBA Champion (2002)
Nicole Levandusky Bench (1.0) 5.2 Low (1.0) 1.5 0.7 0.5 0.5 6.40 Limited contemporary coverage is available. Most reporting referenced her developmental status as a young reserve competing for minutes on a veteran championship roster. WNBA Champion (2002)
Wendi Willits Bench (1.0) 3.6 Low (1.0) 1.3 0.4 0.2 0.1 4.00 Willits appeared only briefly during the season, serving as backcourt depth. Independent player-specific reporting was minimal because of her limited role. WNBA Champion (2002)
Totals 81.0 40.4 21.4 16.4 362.42 Los Angeles successfully defended its championship by pairing Lisa Leslie’s dominant inside game with improved perimeter balance, while Mwadi Mabika, Tamecka Dixon and a deeper bench gave the Sparks one of the WNBA’s most complete lineups. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), Western Conference Champion (2002)

HeatingUp Impact Index: Playoff Team Impact Spotlight

Player Name Role Tier MPG Usage Tier PPG RPG APG STK (SPG + BPG) Impact Index Notes Awards
Lisa Leslie Starter/Star (1.1) 37.1 High (1.2) 22.3 12.3 3.0 6.1 114.05 Leslie completely controlled the Finals through her post scoring, rebounding and elite rim protection, forcing New York to adjust nearly every defensive possession. Championship coverage consistently described her as the unquestioned centerpiece of Los Angeles’ repeat title, with her dominance setting the tone at both ends. (WNBA) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA Finals MVP (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002), WNBA All-Star Game MVP (2002), All-WNBA First Team (2002)
Tamecka Dixon Starter/Star (1.1) 36.1 Medium (1.1) 13.6 2.4 4.1 1.6 52.76 Dixon attacked decisively instead of settling for jumpers, giving Los Angeles another reliable creator whenever defenses collapsed on Leslie. Finals previews and game coverage noted how her postseason shooting and aggressive drives arrived at exactly the right time for the defending champions. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002)
DeLisha Milton-Jones Starter/Star (1.1) 32.3 Medium (1.1) 12.3 6.3 2.9 2.4 57.23 Milton-Jones supplied the versatility that held the frontcourt together, switching defensive assignments while finishing efficiently around the basket. Throughout the postseason, reporters repeatedly highlighted her energy and ability to impact games without needing high shot volume. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Mwadi Mabika Starter/Star (1.1) 33.0 Medium (1.1) 9.0 6.6 2.4 1.9 48.16 Even with inconsistent shooting, Mabika remained a major two-way presence by defending multiple perimeter threats and attacking the glass. Coverage during the Finals emphasized that her athleticism and willingness to guard top scorers remained vital to Los Angeles’ defensive identity. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA All-Star (2002), All-WNBA First Team (2002)
Ukari Figgs Starter/Star (1.1) 34.1 Low (1.0) 8.3 2.1 5.9 1.2 38.50 Figgs orchestrated the offense with patience, moving the ball quickly and allowing the Sparks’ stars to find favorable matchups. Independent analysis consistently praised her decision-making and willingness to prioritize ball movement over personal scoring. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Latasha Byears Bench (1.0) 14.6 Low (1.0) 6.4 4.0 0.3 1.0 23.40 Byears gave Los Angeles valuable interior toughness off the bench, attacking the offensive glass and finishing efficiently around the rim. Her physical style drew frequent praise as an important complement to the starting frontcourt. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Nicky McCrimmon Bench (1.0) 5.9 Low (1.0) 0.7 0.6 0.9 0.7 5.80 McCrimmon filled a limited reserve role, helping stabilize possessions when called upon. Contemporary Finals coverage focused primarily on her composure and dependable ball handling rather than offensive production. (Los Angeles Times) WNBA Champion (2002)
Rhonda Mapp Bench (1.0) 5.4 Low (1.0) 1.2 1.4 0.6 0.0 6.40 Mapp appeared in short frontcourt stretches, providing physical depth whenever additional size was required. Individual postseason reporting was limited because of her situational role. WNBA Champion (2002)
Vedrana Grgin-Fonseca Bench (1.0) 1.8 Low (1.0) 1.0 0.3 0.0 0.0 2.60 Limited contemporary playoff coverage is available, though available reporting identified her as experienced wing depth on a veteran championship roster. WNBA Champion (2002)
Wendi Willits Bench (1.0) 2.3 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.3 0.3 0.0 1.20 Willits saw only brief action during the Finals, serving strictly as reserve backcourt depth. Contemporary individual reporting was minimal. WNBA Champion (2002)
Nicole Levandusky Bench (1.0) 1.7 Low (1.0) 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.00 Levandusky did not record counting statistics during her limited Finals minutes. Independent coverage of her role during the series was extremely limited. WNBA Champion (2002)
Totals 97.3 35.0 20.2 14.9 350.10 Los Angeles completed its repeat championship by leaning on Lisa Leslie’s dominant interior play while receiving timely perimeter creation from Tamecka Dixon and disciplined all-around contributions from a veteran supporting cast. The Sparks swept New York to secure consecutive WNBA titles. WNBA Champion (2002), WNBA Finals Champion (2002)