Los Angeles, CA (Sports Network) - The Los Angeles Sparks signed four-time
WNBA All-Star Alana Beard on Wednesday.
Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.
Beard, a guard/forward, missed the 2010 and 2011 campaigns with ankle and foot
injuries, respectively.
Prior to her injuries, Beard averaged 16.2 points, 4.2 rebounds 2.9 assists
and 1.9 steals per game in six seasons with the Washington Mystics.
She earned WNBA All-Star Game selections from 2005-07 and again in 2009 --
three times as a starter.
"I'm excited that Alana has decided to join our Sparks family," Sparks vice
president and general manager Penny Toler said. "Alana is healthy and
motivated to return to her All-Star form, and just as important she's hungry
to help the Sparks win a Championship. Alana is a proven winner and her
leadership qualities will be a tremendous asset to the Sparks."
Beard is currently playing in Israel with Elitzur Ramla.
"I am extremely thankful and grateful to Sparks owners Paula and Roosevelt
Madison, Penny Toler, Coach Ross and the entire organization for this
opportunity," Beard said. "I look forward to being a part of this team and
playing with some of the best frontcourt players in the game in Candace
Parker, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Ebony Hoffman."
The Sports Network