The LA Sparks have officially hit the reset button, swapping Curt Miller’s 25-55 reign of mediocrity for a fresh start under Lynne Roberts. Yes, folks, the Sparks have turned to a coach who’s never even sniffed the WNBA hardwood as a player or coach. But hey, it’s not like things could get worse, right?
Roberts, who enjoyed a standout college playing career at Seattle Pacific, has spent the past two decades bouncing around the college coaching circuit. Her latest gig with the Utah Utes was her pièce de résistance, where she turned a plucky college program into a Sweet Sixteen contender. Still, the leap from NCAA hoops to the WNBA is like going from hosting karaoke nights to headlining a concert at Madison Square Garden.
Lynne Roberts’ Road to LA: A Tale of Peaks and Valleys
Before making the jump to the pro level, Roberts flexed her coaching muscles at Chico State, where she racked up an impressive 86-31 record and took the Wildcats to the NCAA Division II Final Four. Not too shabby.
Then came her time with the Pacific Tigers. Let’s just say it was a seven-year stretch filled with more lessons than wins (96-121). But Roberts redeemed herself in the following years, pulling together a respectable 39-23 record before heading to Utah.
In Salt Lake City, Roberts finally hit her stride. Three NCAA Tournament appearances in her last three seasons, including a Sweet Sixteen berth, made her an intriguing hire for the Sparks. Whether that collegiate magic translates to WNBA success, however, remains the multi-million-dollar question.
Cameron Brink, Rickea Jackson, and Dearica Hamby: A Trio of Talent
Roberts inherits a Sparks roster with plenty of intrigue, starting with Cameron Brink. The No. 2 pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft saw her rookie season derailed by an ACL injury, but when healthy, she’s a walking double-double with a touch of unicorn magic. Pair her with Rickea Jackson, another young gun with serious upside, and veteran forward Dearica Hamby, and Roberts has a promising core to build around.
Of course, Brink’s injury highlighted the Sparks’ glaring need for depth. Enter the 2025 WNBA Draft, where the team holds the No. 2 pick. While Paige Bueckers, the presumptive top choice, will likely be off the board, the Sparks are still in a prime position to land a game-changer. (No pressure, Lynne. None at all.)
Can Lynne Roberts Buck the Trend?
WNBA fans have seen college coaching stars crash and burn before in the pros. For every Mike Thibault, there’s been a cadre of college standouts who couldn’t adjust to the speed, egos, and quirks of the WNBA. Roberts now finds herself in the hot seat, tasked with turning around a franchise that hasn’t sniffed playoff relevance in recent years.
She’ll need more than a clipboard and a few inspirational speeches to succeed. With Brink, Jackson, Hamby, and an incoming rookie phenom, Roberts has the tools to rebuild. But as any Sparks fan will tell you, potential means nothing without results.
So, Lynne, welcome to Los Angeles. No pressure—just the hopes of a restless fanbase and a franchise desperate for relevance resting on your shoulders. Good luck. You’ll need it.
