Last Updated on March 15, 2026 by Mat Diekhake

The Los Angeles Sparks are one of the WNBA’s foundational franchises, with multiple championships, MVP winners, and several all-time greats. Here are some of the most notable Los Angeles Sparks legends. (sparks.wnba.com)

1. Lisa Leslie

  • Full Name: Lisa Deshaun Leslie
  • Years with the Sparks: 1997–2009
  • Position: Center
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Franchise icon and one of the greatest players in WNBA history
    • Led the Sparks to WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002
    • Three-time WNBA MVP
    • Finals MVP in both 2001 and 2002
    • Still holds Sparks all-time records for points, rebounds, and blocks (wnba.com)

2. Candace Parker

  • Full Name: Candace Nicole Parker
  • Years with the Sparks: 2008–2020
  • Position: Forward/Center
  • Notable Achievements:
    • No. 1 overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft
    • Won WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year in 2008
    • Led the Sparks to the 2016 WNBA championship
    • One of the most complete players in franchise history
    • Sparks all-time assists leader (wnba.com)

3. Nneka Ogwumike

  • Full Name: Nnemkadi Chinwe Victoria Ogwumike
  • Years with the Sparks: 2012–2023
  • Position: Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year
    • 2016 WNBA MVP
    • Key star on the 2016 championship team
    • Moved into second place in Sparks franchise scoring history
    • One of the best two-way forwards the franchise has had (sparks.wnba.com)

4. Penny Toler

  • Full Name: Penelope Toler
  • Years with the Sparks: 1997–1999
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Scored the first basket in WNBA history
    • Starting guard from the franchise’s inaugural era
    • Helped establish the Sparks as one of the original flagship teams
    • Important historical figure in both Sparks and league history (sparks.wnba.com)

5. DeLisha Milton-Jones

  • Full Name: DeLisha Lachell Milton-Jones
  • Years with the Sparks: 1999–2004, 2008–2010
  • Position: Forward
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Important part of the Sparks’ 2001 and 2002 championship teams
    • Longtime frontcourt contributor during one of the best stretches in franchise history
    • Passed through multiple winning eras with the team
    • Remains one of the top scorers in Sparks history (wnba.com)

6. Alana Beard

  • Full Name: Alana Monique Beard
  • Years with the Sparks: 2012–2019
  • Position: Guard
  • Notable Achievements:
    • Defensive anchor of the 2016 championship team
    • WNBA Defensive Player of the Year in 2017 and 2018
    • Hit the game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 1 of the 2016 Finals
    • One of the best perimeter defenders in franchise history (sparks.wnba.com)

These players helped shape Los Angeles Sparks history, contributing to both team success and individual accolades. (sparks.wnba.com)

Sources:

Los Angeles Sparks — Historical Timeline
WNBA — Los Angeles Sparks Team Page / All-Time Records
Los Angeles Sparks — Player Accolades
Los Angeles Sparks — Nneka Ogwumike made franchise scoring history, and it’s still just scratching the surface
WNBA — Milestone Watch: Sparks First Team To 450 Wins
Los Angeles Sparks — A History of the WNBA’s Inception
Los Angeles Sparks — Sparks Alumna