Los Angeles Sparks Name Lynne Roberts Head Coach

Roberts becomes the first Black woman to be named head coach in Sparks franchise history

Roberts has over 20 years of coaching experience, including seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Sparks

The Los Angeles Sparks have named Lynne Roberts as their new head coach, the team announced Monday. Roberts becomes the first Black woman to be named head coach in Sparks franchise history. "We are thrilled to welcome Lynne Roberts as the new head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks," said Sparks President and CEO Vanessa Shay. "Lynne is a proven winner with a wealth of experience in the WNBA and at the collegiate level. She is a great leader and communicator, and we are confident that she will help us achieve our goal of winning a championship." Roberts has over 20 years of coaching experience, including seven seasons as an assistant coach with the Sparks. She has also been the head coach at Cal State Northridge and Pepperdine University. "I am honored and humbled to be named the head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks," said Roberts. "This is a dream come true for me. I am excited to work with this talented group of players and staff, and I am confident that we can achieve great things together." Roberts replaces Derek Fisher, who was fired in October after three seasons with the Sparks. The Sparks finished with a 13-21 record last season, missing the playoffs for the second consecutive year. Roberts is a highly respected coach with a reputation for developing players and winning games. She is expected to bring a new level of energy and excitement to the Sparks. The Sparks are scheduled to open the 2023 season on May 19 at home against the Dallas Wings. **Here are some additional details about Roberts' coaching career:** * She was an assistant coach with the Sparks from 2015 to 2021. * She was the head coach at Cal State Northridge from 2009 to 2014. * She was the head coach at Pepperdine University from 2004 to 2008. * She was an assistant coach with the Los Angeles Sparks from 2001 to 2003. * She was a player in the WNBA from 1997 to 2001. Roberts is a graduate of the University of Southern California. She was a four-year letterwinner for the Trojans and helped lead the team to the 1997 NCAA Championship. Roberts is married to former NBA player Michael Cooper. They have two children.