Los Angeles Sparks Release
LOS ANGELES – The Los Angeles Sparks have acquired WNBA All-Star guard Riquna Williams and the sixth pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft from the Dallas Wings in exchange for guard Erin Phillips, the fifth pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft and its 2017 first round selection, executive vice president and general manager Penny Toler announced today.
“Riquna is a veteran guard who will strengthen our backcourt and defensive presence while adding a powerful scoring punch to our offense,” said Toler. “She will be able to come in and make an immediate impact.
Watch Williams’ 2015 season highlights below:
“I’m ecstatic to join the Los Angeles Sparks family,” said Williams. “From the history of the organization to the passionate and loyal fan base, I am honored and excited to be part of the team. I want to thank both Penny Toler and Brian Agler for giving me this amazing opportunity. I look forward to playing at Staples Center and continuing my career in the city of Los Angeles.”
The 5’7 guard owns career averages of 13.0 points, 2.6 rebounds and 1.4 steals in 100 games played with the Tulsa Shock (now the Dallas Wings). The four-year veteran had her best season to date last year, averaging career-highs in rebounds (3.4 rpg), assists (2.6 apg) and minutes (28.0 mpg) and tying her career-high in points, ranking sixth among league scoring leaders with 15.6 ppg in 29 games (20 starts). She was named an injury replacement player for WNBA All-Star 2015 as a reserve on the Western Conference roster.
“We are excited about Riquna joining the Sparks,” said head coach Brian Agler. “She is very challenging to defend and is one of the unique players in the league that can create her own scoring opportunities, in multiple ways. She has great shooting range, can get the ball to the rim and she can get to the free throw line. Riquna is extremely explosive with the ball and her abilities will be a great addition to our roster.”
Williams set the WNBA’s single game scoring record with 51 points vs. San Antonio on September 8, 2013. In the same game she scored the record 51 points, Williams also set career-highs for field goals made (17), field goals attempted (28), three point field goals made (eight), three point field goals attempted (14) and minutes played (35).
She was named the WNBA’s 2013 Sixth Woman of the Year after leading all reserve scorers averaging a then career-high 15.6 points and adding 2.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists through 27 games played. She also finished the season ranked seventh among league leaders in three point percentage (38.1) and fifth in free throw percentage (90.0).
As a rookie (2012) she ranked third among rookie leaders in assists (2.1 apg) and steals (1.55 spg), finished fourth in scoring (10.5 ppg) and was named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
Phillips, an eight-year veteran, played 12 games with Los Angeles last season, averaging 6.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and a career-best 3.1 assists in 12 games played, all starts.
Watch Phillips’ 2015 season highlights below:
Phillips holds career averages of 6.6 points, 2.4 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 197 career games (89 starts) with Connecticut, Indiana, Phoenix and Los Angeles.
Dallas Wings Release
Arlington, TX., March 1, 2016 – The WNBA’s Dallas Wings today announced the acquisition of 2-Time WNBA Champion Erin Phillips from the LA Sparks, in exchange for Riquna Williams. As part of the deal, the Dallas Wings will receive the 5th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft and the Sparks’ first round pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft, while Dallas will give LA the 6th overall pick in the 2016 WNBA Draft.
“We thank Riquna for her contributions while being very excited to add Erin Phillips to the Dallas Wings organization,” said David Swatzell, President & CEO. “This deal provides us with a veteran guard who can play both the one and two positions. Erin is an experienced leader with a championship pedigree. Her contributions on and off the court will help us as we compete for a WNBA Title. Additionally, we have enhanced our draft position by moving up a spot this year and adding a first round selection next year.”
Phillips, who is entering her ninth year in the League, owns career averages of 6.6 points per game, 2.4 rebounds per game and 2.2 assist per game. She is a two-time WNBA Champion and an Olympian, representing her native Australia. She is currently in the mix to make the roster for Australia’s entry in the 2016 Rio Games.
The Wings’ regular season will tip off with a three-game road trip beginning on Saturday, May 14th against the defending Eastern Conference Champions, the Indiana Fever, followed by games against the New York Liberty on Sunday, May 15th and the Washington Mystics on Wednesday, May 18th. These games will be followed by the home opener on Saturday, May 21st at 7:30p.m., as the San Antonio Stars visit College Park Center to take on the Wings. From May 21st through September 11th, the Wings will host 17 regular season home games at College Park Center, a state-of-the-art 7,000-seat arena conveniently located on the campus of The University of Texas at Arlington.
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