Sparks Sign Guards Liron Cohen of Israel, Brisa Silva of Mexico
Published on March 6, 2008 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Los Angeles Sparks News Release
LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks have signed Israeli point guard Liron Cohen, who starred in the Spanish League this winter, and Mexican National Team star Brisa Silva, who will be the first Mexican national to play in the WNBA. Terms of the agreements were not disclosed.
"We are very excited to be able to sign Liron," said general manager Penny Toler. "She is very talented and gifted enough to play both guard positions."
"This is a big opportunity," said Cohen. "I feel flattered that the Sparks have given me this opportunity. I hope that it will be a great summer for the team and me as well."
"It is a very pleasant surprise to be able to bring Brisa on board," said head coach Michael Cooper. "She is a good basketball player with good international experience and a skilled point guard that we could use on our team."
"I have always dreamed of playing for the Sparks," Silva said. "It's true that hard work pays off. I'm excited to have the opportunity to show Michael Cooper my skills and be in camp with good role models like Lisa Leslie, Sidney Spencer, and Temeka Johnson."
Cohen was named Israel's Safsal player of the month for February after leading Leon to the Spanish Queen's Cup finals for the first time, where she was named tournament most valuable player. In three league games and three Cup games in February, Cohen averaged 17.3 points and 4.0 assists per game. She made seven of eight three-point shots en route to 33 points in Leon's win over league-leading Valencia in league play.
In Spain's Queen's Cup tournament, Cohen had 11 points and seven assists in Leon's quarterfinals win over Extrugasa and 27 points and six assists in a semifinal win over Salamanca. Despite being closely guarded, Cohen had 12 points in a 68-66 loss to defending Cup champion Valencia in the finals. She averaged 16.7 points and 5.3 assists in the tournament.
Cohen, who starred for the Israeli national team in 2005 and 2007, averaged 13.2 points per game and shot 53 percent from two-point range and 43 percent from three-point range in Europe Cup competition this season. She was on Israeli Cup championship teams in 2000, 2001, 2004 and 2007 with Ranana, Elitzur Ramla and Ramat Hsharon. She played in Greece in 2005-06 and averaged 14.8 points per game.
Silva, who turns 24 on Friday, is a 5-6 guard who was born in Sinaloa, Mexico. She starred at Los Angeles Garfield High School, Central Arizona Community College and Oklahoma State University. She was a second-team all-state selection in high school and had her uniform number retired at Garfield. She helped Central Arizona to the national community college title and was selected a third team All-American, and she led Oklahoma State in three-point shooting and set records for assists while earning honors as a student. She starred for the Mexican National Team last year in the Pan American Games. Horacio Llamas was the first Mexican national to play in the NBA with the Washington Wizards in 1997.
The Sparks will begin their 2008 WNBA regular season May 17 at Phoenix. The game airs at 12:30 p.m. PT on ABC. The Sparks play their home opener at STAPLES Center on June 6 at 7:30 p.m. with a rematch against the Mercury.
For Sparks' season ticket information, call 1-877-44-SPARKS.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from March 6, 2008
- Houston Comets Acquire Megan Mahoney, Trade Barbara Turner - Houston Comets
- Sparks Sign Guards Liron Cohen of Israel, Brisa Silva of Mexico - Los Angeles Sparks
- Sun Acquire Barbara Turner In Trade With Comets - Connecticut Sun
- Storm Signs Forward Shyra Ely - Seattle Storm
- Storm Announces Broadcast Partner and Talent - Seattle Storm
- New York Liberty Guards Ashley Battle and Lindsay Bowen Sign New Contracts - New York Liberty
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