Sparks sign ex-Valkyries draft pick to contract

The Los Angeles Sparks’ recent flurry of roster moves continued on Sunday as the team signed former WNBA draft pick Shyanne Sellers to a development contract, head coach Lynne Roberts confirmed prior to the team’s game against the Seattle Storm.

The Sparks roster moves began late Friday night when the team signed rookie guard Ndjakalenga Mwenentanda to a development contract as they had one available. Then on Saturday, the Sparks claimed second-year wing Aaliyah Nye off waivers after she cut by the Atlanta Dream, and waiving fan favorite Kate Martin to make room on the roster.

And to open up the other development contract in which they signed Shyanne Sellers, the Sparks waived Alissa Pili whom Roberts coached during college at the University of Utah.

Sellers most recently played in the inaugural season of UpShot, making an appearance in the league’s championship game with the Jacksonville Waves. She was the No. 17 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft by the Golden State Valkyries, but was one of the team’s cuts before the start of the season. The former Maryland star was claimed off waivers by the Dream, but did not make their final roster either.

This season, Sellers was in training camp with the Dallas Wings prior to joining UpShot. Before the Sparks’ game against the Storm, Roberts addressed the team’s recent moves while acknowledging that the team expects the new players to join them during the FIBA break.

“It’s hard when the human element of this business is challenging,” Roberts said during her pregame press conference. “But at the end of the day, there’s business decision made.”

With Martin and Pili being cut, Roberts was confident that both players would eventually find their footing in the WNBA.

“I called both of them after I knew that they had a discussion with the front office, and just expressed my love for them and appreciation,” Roberts continued. “I talked to both of them and just told them I loved them and appreciated them and this isn’t the end of their journey. They’ll be back in the league and I’m grateful for what they gave me and all that they gave their teammates.”

Sellers, along with Nye and Mwenentanda, were not available against the Storm, and will join the team amid the World Cup break.