bench

This year’s WNBA draft is bigger than ever with two expansion teams joining the league. It’s also a top-heavy draft, with a ton of depth in the first round and no clear first overall pick.

This is also the first year teams will be selecting talent knowing players can be signed to two developmental roster spots per team that don’t count against the salary cap, which might change the way teams use their picks.

The Sparks don’t pick until the mid-second round, but they should have options to help address depth needs. Here’s how the draft is projected to unfold.

First round

1. Dallas Wings: Awa Fam | C | Spain | 6-foot-4

This is one of the first years in recent memory without an obvious No. 1 overall pick. Fam could go anywhere from first to fourth, but the 19-year-old would benefit from an environment where she doesn’t have to dominate right away. The Wings also need size.

2. Minnesota Lynx: Olivia Miles | G | TCU | 5-foot-10

The Texas Christian star nearly averaged a triple-double during the Horned Frogs’ Elite Eight run and she is the best point guard in this draft. Minnesota needs backcourt depth.

UConn guard Azzi Fudd dribbles up the court during Sweet 16 game against North Carolina on March 27 in Fort Worth, Texas.

(Julio Cortez / Associated Press)

3. Seattle Storm: Azzi Fudd | G | Connecticut | 5-foot-11

Fudd’s stock might have dropped because of an underwhelming NCAA tournament, but she is still a pro-ready offensive threat who will get playing time with a rebuilding Storm squad.

4. Washington Mystics: Flau’jae Johnson | G | LSU | 6-foot

Johnson could join an up-and-coming Washington squad as a three-level scorer who can play defense as a two-way guard. With second-year player Sonia Citron already ahead of her at her position, the Mystics can develop Johnson.

5. Chicago Sky: Kiki Rice | G | UCLA | 5-foot-11

The Sky need a guard who can score and defend, and with Courtney Vandersloot out to start the season, Rice might get some early playing time. She can rebound and scrap for loose balls too, and with Ariel Atkins reportedly being traded, Rice could play a big role.

6. Toronto Tempo: Lauren Betts | C | UCLA | 6-foot-7

Betts could become one of the faces of the new franchise as a starting center. She is a pro-ready post scorer who can continue to develop defensively and play against bigger players.

UCLA guard Kiki Rice drives around South Carolina Gamecocks guard Raven Johnson during the NCAA championship game on April 4.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

7. Portland Fire: Nell Angloma | F | France | 5-foot-11

Angloma needs time to develop, but general manager Vanja Cernivec has seen her plenty. She is a physical guard who has proven she can score against much older players.

8. Golden State Valkyries: Gabriela Jaquez | F | UCLA | 6 feet

Jaquez can score and win rebounds and would fit in well with the Valkyries’ scrappy style. She fits in a clear role and is the type of player coach Natalie Nakase and company prefer to draft. Jaquez could have some electric games off the bench.

9. Washington: Iyana Martín Carrion | G | Spain | 5-foot-9

With three first-round picks, the Mystics could consider a draft-and-stash here, and that might just be Carrion. She’s a good shooter and passer and plays bigger than her size. They can be patient and develop her into a starting point guard in a few years.

10. Indiana Fever: Madina Okot | C | South Carolina | 6-foot-6

Indiana can add the third-best center in the draft early here and get a physical player who can create space on the floor as long as she can assert herself in the post.

11. Washington: Raven Johnson | G | South Carolina | 5-foot-9

Johnson’s defensive ability and facilitating skills make her one of the most WNBA-ready players in the draft. Her shutdown defense on Sarah Strong in the Final Four showed she can handle tough assignments.

12. Connecticut Sun: Cotie McMahon | F | Mississippi | 6-foot

McMahon could get early playing time as a ballhandler for a Sun team in transition that needs versatility. She can make her own shot and slot in wherever Connecticut needs her.

UCLA forward Gabriela Jaquez dribble past Carolina Gamecocks forward Joyce Edwards during the NCAA women’s championship on April 4.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

13. Atlanta Dream: Ta’Niya Latson | G | South Carolina | 5-foot-8

There was a time when Latson was the best scorer in the college game, and she could join an Atlanta team building both to win now and for a future run. She wouldn’t be relied on too heavily, which would give her room to develop as a scorer at the pro level.

14. Seattle: Marta Suarez | F | TCU | 6-foot-3

Suarez may have seen her WNBA draft stock rise the most this season, her first at TCU, where she led the Horned Frogs to a Sweet 16 game in which she scored 33 points. She’s an older prospect at 24 but still kind of raw. She could help a Storm team trying to find itself.

15. Connecticut: Gianna Kneepkens | G | UCLA | 5-foot-11

Kneepkens is a shooter who can play decent defense and is likely as WNBA-ready as anyone in this first round. She could jump in off the bench and make some serious shots, developing into a starter pretty quickly.

Second round

16. Seattle: Frieda Buhner | G | Spain | 6-foot-2

A big guard, Buhner can shoot the three-ball when she’s at her best, collect rebounds and bang in the post.

17. Portland: Jessica Timmons | G | Alabama | 5-foot-8

Timmons had a breakout year for Alabama as an All-SEC player. She can create her own offense and hit shots.

UCLA forward Angela Dugalic shoots over South Carolina forward Joyce Edwards during the NCAA championship on April 4 in Phoenix.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

18. Connecticut: Angela Dugalic | F | UCLA | 6-foot-4

At 24, Dugalic will be one of the more experienced rookies in the WNBA, which could help mold a Sun team in transition. A tough interior presence who also can shoot from distance, Dugalic was arguably the best bench player in the nation during UCLA’s title run.

19. Washington: Shay Ciezki | G | Indiana | 5-foot-7

After averaging 22.8 points per game, Ciezki proved she can score in a variety of ways. She is undersized but could get time to develop on the young Mystics.

20. Sparks: Charlisse Leger-Walker | G | UCLA | 5-foot-8

The first pick for the Sparks of this draft, they stay close to home and get a much-needed ballhandler who can hang defensively. Leger-Walker went from a flashy three-point scorer at Washington State to a well-rounded player who can add energy to the Sparks’ bench.

21. Chicago: Yarden Garzon | G | Maryland | 6-foot-3

Garzon did not have a great senior campaign with Maryland, but Chicago needs guard depth, and she has size and can shoot from distance.

UCLA guard Charlisse Leger-Walker slips past Minnesota guard Tori McKinney and scores on March 27 in Sacramento.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

22. Toronto: Janiah Barker | F | Tennessee | 6-foot-4

A 6-4 forward who can shoot, Barker has plenty of talent but moved around a lot in her college career. Toronto can be patient with her.

23. Golden State: Serah Williams | C| UConn | 6-foot-4

The Valkyries might need some size with Monique Billings moving on and Temi Fagbenle’s future unclear.

24. Sparks: Teoni Key | F | Kentucky | 6-foot-5

Key would give the Sparks some size off the bench behind Cameron Brink, Nneka Ogwumike and Dearica Hamby. Key is more physical than Brink and could give her a bit of a break in the post.

25. Indiana: Ashlon Jackson | G | Duke | 6-foot

Jackson had perhaps the most iconic shot of the NCAA tournament with her game-winner in the Sweet 16 over Louisiana State with 2.5 seconds left.

Michigan State forward Grace VanSlooten dribbles the ball during a game against Washington on Jan. 8.

(Stephen Brashear / Associated Press)

26. Toronto: Grace VanSlooten | G | Michigan State | 6-foot-3

An elite two-point shooter for the Spartans, VanSlooten has a high motor on the offensive side and can play a quick defensive game.

27. Phoenix Mercury: Rori Harmon | G | Texas | 5-foot-6

As an undersized but scrappy guard, underestimate Harmon at your own risk. One of the peskiest point-of-attack defenders in the country, Harmon was named to four all-defense teams during her time at Texas.

28. Atlanta: Dari Littlepage-Buggs | F | Baylor | 6-foot-1

A strong rebounder who can move the ball upcourt, Littlepage-Buggs is worth a pick to see how she might adapt to the WNBA. She is someone whom the developmental slots might help a lot.

29. Las Vegas Aces: Maggie Doogan | F | Richmond | 6-foot-2

The Aces already have a core in place, but Doogan has enough upside to be worth a late-round pick as a reliable bench shooter.

30. Washington: Justine Pissott | F | Vanderbilt | 6-foot-4

Another versatile player, Pissott was a part of a dynamic Vanderbilt offense this season. She can space the floor and add depth to the Mystics.

Third round

31. Dallas: Laila Phelia | F | Syracuse | 6-foot

Phelia is a solid defensive forward who can shoot well for her position.

32. Chicago: Tonie Morgan | G | Kentucky | 5-foot-9

Morgan is a terrific passer who can attack downhill.

Texas center Kyla Oldacre shoots over UCLA center Lauren Betts during a Final Four game on April 3 in Phoenix.

(Rick Scuteri / Associated Press)

33. Connecticut: Kyla Oldacre | C | Texas | 6-foot-6

This would be a pure depth pick after the Sun added Brittney Griner.

34. Washington: Kara Dunn | G | USC | 5-foot-11

Dunn has averaged better than 15 points per game during each of her last three seasons (two at Georgia Tech and one at USC) and been efficient in doing so, most recently shooting 57.3% from the field and 37.8% from three-point range.

35. Sparks: Jalyn Brown | G | Michigan State | 6-foot-1

An incredibly efficient shooter, Brown has size and is a three-level scorer who has been a top perimeter defender in the Big 12 and Big Ten. She is a true wing and could give the Sparks a developmental player with a high floor.

36. Toronto: Lani White | F | Utah | 6-foot

White started for only one season but showed she can shoot from distance and give the Tempo another forward to build their bench depth.

USC guard Kara Dunn dribbles up the court during a game against Saint Mary’s at the Galen Center on Dec. 2.

(Ronaldo Bolanos/Los Angeles Times)

37. Portland: Raegan Beers | C | Oklahoma | 6-foot-4

For a while, Beers was one of the most interesting prospects in the college game. She proved she can be an efficient scorer when she went from Oregon State to Oklahoma. Her offense is far ahead of her defense, though.

38. Golden State: Elle Ladine | G | Washington | 5-foot-11

A San Francisco native, Ladine, when she is on, can be a dynamic three-way scorer.

39. Seattle: Saffron Shiels | G | Australia | 6-foot-2

A big guard who could be a late-round steal because of an ankle injury last season.

40. Indiana: Jordan Harrison | G | West Virginia | 5-foot-6

Harrison is undersized but was a good defender in the Big 12. She can facilitate and cause havoc on the court too.

41. New York Liberty: Hannah Stuelke | F | Iowa | 6-foot-2

This is the Liberty’s only pick, and Stuelke is a tough rebounder who has a high upside.

Notre Dame guard Cassandre Prosper drives to the basket under pressure from UConn guard Azzi Fudd during an Elite Eight game on March 29.

(LM Otero / Associated Press)

42. Phoenix: Cassandre Prosper | C | Notre Dame | 6-foot-3

The Atlantic Coast Conference’s most improved player, Prosper can score and rebound while also being surprisingly quick for her size in the frontcourt.

43. Atlanta: Laura Ziegler | F | Louisville | 6-foot-2

An All-ACC first-team player for an underrated Louisville team, Ziegler can pass and make threes.

44. Las Vegas: Mya Perry | G | Cincinnati | 5-foot-11

A 17.8-point scorer, Perry is a three-point shooter who could earn a developmental slot.

45. Minnesota: Madison St. Rose | G | Princeton | 5-foot-10

St. Rose led Princeton in scoring and could be worth a shot as a developmental player.

Kawhi Leonard scored 28 points in 25 minutes and the Clippers pummeled the Milwaukee Bucks 129-96 on Monday night.

Brook Lopez added 19 points, Darius Garland had 15 points and six assists, and the Clippers won consecutive games after four straight losses. They made all 18 of their free throws and got back to .500 with 10 games remaining in the regular season after having a 6-21 record on Dec. 18.

Gary Trent Jr. paced the Bucks with 20 points off the bench. Ryan Rollins led their starters with 13, and Milwaukee had five players in double figures. The Bucks have lost 10 of their past 14 games, including three of four since sitting superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo because of a left knee injury.

The Clippers dominated the three-point line at both ends of the court, making 17 of 38 shots from long range (45%) while frustrating the Bucks before they used a meaningless fourth-quarter flurry to finish at 39% (16 for 41). That included the Clippers sinking 11 of 22 attempts in the first half, including a seven-for-12 stretch to help fuel a 43-point second quarter.

Brook Lopez looks to pass against Bucks forward Bobby Portis in the second half.

(Eric Thayer / Los Angeles Times)

The onslaught continued into the second half as the Clippers went up by 46. Even the 7-foot-1 Lopez got in on the fun, shooting four of five on threes in the third quarter.

Leonard, who sat out the fourth quarter, shook off a sluggish start to go eight for 18 from the field and make nine foul shots. He had 16 points in the second quarter.

In his 14th NBA season, Leonard is averaging a career-high 28.3 points per game, helping push the Clippers back to an all-but-certain spot in the play-in tournament following their miserable start.

At the 2023 Women’s World Cup, 12 of the 32 head coaches were female, including England manager Sarina Wiegman.

“There are simply not enough women in coaching today. We must do more to accelerate change by creating clearer pathways, expanding opportunities, and increasing the visibility for women on our sidelines,” said Fifa’s chief football officer Jill Ellis.

“The new Fifa regulations, combined with targeted development programmes, mark an important investment in the current and future generation of female coaches.”

Fifa hopes these new regulations will see a rapid increase in female representation, including at the 2027 Women’s World Cup in Brazil.

Among some of the most high-profile female coaches is London-born Emma Hayes, who is joined by assistant Denise Reddy at the United States.

In 2024, Hayes told BBC Sport that a lack of female coaches in English football is “a massive issue” and urged the game’s administrators to “come up with more creative ways” to address it.

Other female English coaches at international level include Gemma Grainger at Norway, Casey Stoney at Canada and Carla Ward at the Republic of Ireland.

Canadian Rhian Wilkinson led Wales to their first major tournament at Euro 2025 last summer, while Dutchwoman Wiegman has guided England to back-to-back European titles and has been named the Fifa best women’s coach of the year on four occasions.

Wiegman was the only female coach in the quarter-final stage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup.

Speaking at that time, she said: “Of course what we hope is to get more female coaches at the top level and that the balance gets better than it is right now.

“Males are welcome too but if the balance is better than hopefully that will inspire more women to get involved in coaching.”

Victor Wembanyama had 21 points and 13 rebounds and the San Antonio Spurs overcame an early 14-point deficit before blowing most of a 24-point lead and recovering to hold off the Clippers 119-115 on Monday night at Intuit Dome.

Stephon Castle had 23 points, eight assists and seven rebounds to lead the Spurs (50-18), who reached 50 wins for the first time since 2016-17 and trail the first-place Thunder by three games in the West. Devin Vassell added 20 points.

Fighting to secure a spot for the play-in tournament, the Clippers’ second straight loss dropped them back to .500 with Kawhi Leonard watching from the bench. The NBA’s sixth-leading scorer sat out with a sprained left knee.

Darius Garland drives to the basket against De’Aaron Fox and Victor Wembanyama of the Spurs in the second half.

(Eric Thayer/Los Angeles Times)

Darius Garland led six Clippers in double figures with 25 points and 10 assists. Jordan Miller had 22 points off the bench, which outscored the Spurs’ reserves 57-30.

After the Spurs ran off seven in a row to lead 115-102, Garland scored seven of the Clippers’ nine points to get within four with 38 seconds remaining. But the Spurs made four straight free throws to preserve the win.

The Spurs led by 24 points in the third before the Clippers closed with a 16-3 run to trail by 10 going into the fourth.

The Spurs started slowly, missing eight of their first nine shots, while the Clippers surged to a 17-3 lead. They shot 65% from the floor in the opening quarter, hit five of seven three-pointers and made 10 of 12 free throws.

San Antonio turned things around in the second. The Spurs erased all of their 14-point deficit, helped by 15 straight points over the end of the first and start of the second. In the period, they outscored the Clippers 37-15 to lead 66-52 at halftime.