LA Sparks sign Lindsey Harding

In a move designed to bring the WNBA title back to Los Angeles, the LA Sparks have signed free agent guard Lindsey Harding to a multi-year contract.

“I am really excited about Lindsey joining the Sparks family,” said GM Penny Toler.  “She is a dynamic player who will add to our already explosive backcourt.  Lindsey will be our starting point guard who will lead us to our next WNBA Championship.”

A 5-8 guard, Harding is a six-year WNBA veteran who owns career averages of 11.2 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.3 rebounds. She played the past two seasons with the Atlanta Dream, leading that team last year in assists (4.5) and free-throw percentage (81.8%).

"I want to thank the owners, coaches, players, and most of all the wonderful Atlanta Dream fans for all of their support while making my time in Atlanta memorable,” said Harding. “Now I'm looking forward to playing for the Los Angeles Sparks and their enthusiastic fans, another organization dedicated to excellence and winning. I'm also thrilled to once-again be coached by Coach Ross while playing alongside an ensemble of talented players, including my college and former Mystics teammate Alana Beard."

With Harding, LA now has a solid and deeper guard corps to complement the Sparks already talented frontline of star Candace Parker and 2012 Rookie of the Year Nneka Ogwumike.

"We're thrilled about the addition of Lindsey Harding, it's another bold and positive step for the Sparks,” said head coach Carol Ross.  “Lindsey is a talented, dynamic point guard built for speed and aggression. She will add to an already exciting guard tandem of Kristi Toliver and Alana Beard."

Prior to Atlanta, Harding spent two seasons with the Washington Mystics where she started all 68 games.  In 2010, she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection en route to leading Washington to the Eastern Conference regular season title.

Originally selected as No. 1 overall pick by Phoenix in the 2007 WNBA Draft, she was traded to Minnesota where she played two seasons (2007, 2008) and was a member of the 2007 WNBA All-Rookie Team.

During her collegiate career at Duke, Harding was named the Naismith National Player of the Year. She was also a two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year.

By Staff of The Daily Sports Herald and news services