The Los Angeles Sparks have officially set their 2026 Opening Day roster, and the WNBA season is just around the corner. While the league-wide tip-off is Friday, May 8th, the Sparks won't hit the court until Sunday, May 10th. As with every team, Los Angeles had to trim their roster down by Thursday, May 7th, making those final cuts that are always tough on players and fans alike.
Under the new Collective Bargaining Agreement, each team must carry a full 12-player roster, with the option to add up to two developmental spots. The Sparks will open the season with 13 players, a testament to their deep offseason moves. With so many key acquisitions already in place, the team didn't bring in a large training camp class, but every cut still stings. Here's a look at the players who didn't make the final roster and those who have moved on.
Training Camp Cuts:
- Amelia Hassett (F, 6'3"): A third-round draft pick from last month's draft, Hassett is an Australian talent who played college ball at the University of Kentucky. Her size and international experience made her a intriguing prospect, but she'll need more time to develop.
- Sevgi Uzun (G, 5'10"): The Turkish guard has bounced around the league, playing for three teams over two seasons, most recently with the Chicago Sky. Her overseas experience is valuable, but she couldn't crack the Sparks' deep backcourt.
- Julie Vanloo (G, 5'8"): A familiar face for Sparks fans, Vanloo played 26 games with L.A. last season after being surprisingly waived by the Golden State Valkyries in July. She averaged 2.2 points and 1.2 assists in about 10 minutes per game, but the roster crunch left no room this time around.
Players Moving On:
- Julie Allemand (G, 5'8"): Allemand was a spark plug for the Sparks after finally joining the team full-time in July 2025, following her Eurobasket commitments. She averaged 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, and 5.0 assists in 34 games, becoming the engine of L.A.'s second-half surge. Unfortunately, she was selected by the Toronto Tempo in the expansion draft, a big loss for the Sparks' backcourt.
- Sarah Ashlee Barker (G, 6'0"): Drafted 9th overall last year—via the Kelsey Plum trade—Barker started games early due to injuries but fell out of the rotation once the team got healthy. She finished the season with averages of 3.1 points and 1.9 rebounds in 34 games. Left unprotected in the expansion draft, she was picked up by the Portland Fire, giving her a fresh start.
- Alissa Pili (F, 5'11"): Pili's journey with the Sparks has come to an end as she moves on to new opportunities. Her versatility and energy will be missed, but the Sparks' frontcourt depth made the decision a tough one.
With the roster now set, the Sparks are gearing up for what promises to be an exciting 2026 season. Fans can catch the action starting Sunday, May 10th, and gear up for the ride with the latest Sparks apparel and gear—because every great season starts with the right fit.