The Los Angeles Sparks announced today the signing of guard Erica Wheeler. The Parkland, Florida native has an inspiring story, going from an undrafted rookie in 2015 to becoming a four-year starter for the Indiana Fever from 2016-2019.
Her tenure in Indiana culminated in a breakout 2019 season in which she was named to the WNBA All-Star team and won MVP of the game, the first undrafted player to complete that feat. During the 2019 season, she averaged 10.1 points, 5.0 assists, 3.0 rebounds and 1.1 steals, while shooting 38.4% on 3-pointers and 87.2% from the free-throw line.
"We're excited to have Erica Wheeler join the LA Sparks," General Manager/Head Coach Derek Fisher said. "Erica's life story and journey in the WNBA is proof of her character, work ethic and competitive spirit. She will be a great fit for the culture we're building and brings an ability to score, distribute the basketball, defend and play both point guard and shooting guard."
After going undrafted in 2015, Wheeler played a combined 20 games for the Atlanta Dream and the New York Liberty that year. She then earned a training camp contract with the Fever in 2016 and made the team, appearing in all 34 games in 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2019, starting 107 times. Wheeler opted out of the 2020 WNBA season. For her career, she's averaged 8.9 points, 3.7 assists, and 2.4 rebounds in 22.6 minutes per game.
"I'm super excited to be a part of the LA Sparks and I can't wait to see what this new chapter of my life brings me," Wheeler said. "Everybody who has reached out to me from the organization has been amazing and I want to thank the ownership group, front office and coaches for believing in me. I look forward to getting to know my new teammates and I'm ready to get things started with the squad."
Wheeler attended Rutgers University, playing for the legendary C. Vivian Stringer. She also founded a non-profit organization called The Wheeler Kid Foundation, whose mission is providing opportunities for children that are not fortunate enough to be involved in extracurricular activities of their choice.
ABOUT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS
Founded in 1996, the Los Angeles Sparks are one of three original franchises in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The Sparks have won three WNBA Championships (2001, 2002, 2016), have qualified for the playoffs in 20 of their 24 seasons and remain the only active team in the league to win back-to-back titles. The Los Angeles Sparks are dedicated to ensuring each home game at Staples Center has a championship level entertainment experience while showcasing the best female athletes from around the world on the court.
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