Sparks Re-Sign Alana Beard
LOS ANGELES, CA (Feb. 11, 2019) – Sparks Executive Vice President and General Manager Penny Toler announced today the re-signing of veteran guard/forward Alana Beard. Last season marked Beard’s 13th WNBA season which she capped off by winning her second consecutive WNBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.
“Alana Beard is one of the greatest defenders this league has ever seen and is an exemplary teammate and professional,” Toler said. “She is a huge part of our team’s identity and I’m excited to have her continue her career here in Los Angeles.”
Beard joined the Sparks in 2012 and was a starter on the 2016 championship team. For her career, Beard has averaged 11.6 points per game and 1.7 steals per game, putting her 25th all-time in career points (4,688) and third in WNBA history in steals (698). Beard is a four-time all-star (2005-2007, 2009) and a nine time All-WNBA Defensive Team member (2005-2007, 2009, 2012, 2014, 2016-2018).
Beard was drafted second overall in the 2004 WNBA Draft by the Washington Mystics and attended Duke University.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS
The Sparks 2019 home opener is on May 31 against the Connecticut Sun. To purchase tickets, visit http://sparks.wnba.com/tickets/. Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks play in the Western Conference of the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016), have qualified for the playoffs in 18 of their 22 seasons and remain the only active team in the league to win back-to-back titles. The Los Angeles Sparks are dedicated to ensuring each home game at Staples Center has a championship level entertainment experience, while showcasing the best female athletes from around the world on the court.
Contact: Eli Horowitz, Director of Public Relations and Communications
