WNBA Los Angeles Sparks

Sparks Re-Sign Free Agent Veteran Guard/Forward Alana Beard

February 26, 2015 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release


LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks have re-signed WNBA veteran guard/forward Alana Beard to a contract, executive vice president and general manager Penny Toler announced today. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

"I personally am excited about being on the same team as Alana," said Sparks head coach Brian Agler. "She is such a respected person, leader and player"Ž within the organization and the WNBA. We will lean heavily on her in all aspects of our team. I have great respect for her competitiveness and work ethic."

The 11-year veteran originally joined the Sparks as a free agent on February 8, 2012. In three seasons with Los Angeles, Beard has averaged 8.7 points, 2.4 assists and 2.3 rebounds in 98 games. Last season, she started all 33 contests played, averaging 8.5 points, 2.5 assists and 2.6 rebounds per contest. Following the 2014 season, she was named to the WNBA's 2014 All Defensive Team, marking the fifth nod of her career.

Drafted second overall by Washington in 2004, Beard played six seasons with the Mystics before missing the 2010 and 2011 campaigns with injuries that sidelined her for the seasons. Prior to her injuries, she appeared in 193 games (192 starts) and averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 1.9 steals per game. As a rookie, she set a new franchise record for steals in a season (69) and in 2009, beat her own record to set a new franchise mark with 72 steals.

The four-time WNBA All-Star had her best season in 2006 when she set career-highs in points (19.2 ppg) and rebounds (4.7 rpg) while shooting 49.5% from the floor. Averaging double-digits in scoring in seven of nine seasons played, Beard holds career averages of 13.7 points, 3.5 rebounds and 2.8 assists in 291 career games (290 starts).

Individual tickets can be purchased at LASparks.com or by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX (888-929-7849). Sparks season and group ticket plans, in all lower-bowl sections of STAPLES Center, are available now by calling 844-GOSPARKS or visiting LASparks.com. Sparks 2015 promotional and group nights will be released at a later date.

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