The Los Angeles Sparks acquired talented prospects without having high picks in the 2020 WNBA Draft on Friday. The Sparks drafted Miami forward Beatrice Mompremier and guard Leonie Fiebich of Germany in the second round and West Virginia guard Tynice Martin in the third round.
“I’m very excited for this moment and this opportunity to get to play with great players,” Mompremier said. “I feel like my game can improve a lot and them being by my side every day in practice and working together can help me progress my career.”
Sparks head coach Derek Fisher explained how the franchise was looking to gain players who can play at multiple positions. Mompremier has length and rebounding prowess, while both Fiebich and Martin flaunt a diverse skill set.
“We wanted to bring in players that will respect the names on our roster that we have,” Fisher said. “But they will also come in and compete for every single possession and every opportunity that they get.”
Mompremier was the 2019 ACC Preseason Player of the Year and the sixth Miami player in history to be drafted in the WNBA. As a redshirt junior, she became the all-time leader in single season rebounds per game with 12.2. She departs the University of Miami with 34 career double-doubles, an AP All-America Honorable Mention and an AP Preseason All-American honor.
Martin leaves West Virginia fourth in career scoring at 1,980 points. She was named on the 2020 All-Big 12 Second Team, scoring 14.5 points and 4.3 rebounds per game. Martin has been captain of the West Virginia womens’ basketball team for three years.
Fiebich plays for the German National team and for Wasserburg Basketball. During their 2018-2019 season, she contributed 10.3 points and 8.0 rebounds per game for Wasserburg. Fiebich will not be playing for the Sparks this year, according to Fischer.
Los Angeles was one of the four teams that did not have a first-round pick, but Fischer mentioned how their picks have top-tier skills.
“It was more about talent; it was the talent they had. They are first round talents, and we were given a Christmas gift,” Fischer said. “This team is gonna be one of the strongest, competitive camps we have in our history, because of how much talent we have.”
Fisher mentioned how they signed Arizona forward Dominique McBryde to a training camp contract. During her senior season, McBryde shot at 51 percent from the field and averaged 6.9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game. Fisher lauded McBryde for her versatility.
“We really feel like she’s kind of a wing kind of utility player who you can fly all over the court,” Fisher said.
Among the draftees is Rice guard Erica Ogwumike, younger sister to Sparks players Nneka and Chiney. The was drafted in the third round to the New York Liberty who then traded her to the Minnesota Lynx. One might assume the Sparks organization would seize the opportunity of having three Ogwumikes.
“She’s going to do great up in Minnesota, it’ll be fun when we play Minnesota to have all those sisters play against each other,” Fischer said. “I want to congratulate Erica because she’s a two-time conference player of the year.”
