Sparks extend Sydney Wiese through 2022
The 2017 first-round pick is staying in LA.
The Los Angeles Sparks extended guard Sydney Wiese on Friday, the team announced via social media. The extension will run through the 2022 WNBA season.
Syd staying in LA
— Los Angeles Sparks (@LA_Sparks) May 15, 2020
The Sparks sign @swiesebaby24 to a contract extension through 2022.
Full Release » https://t.co/yjZ2s99aIp#GoSparks #LeadTheCharge pic.twitter.com/KJhGWlbdDc
Howard Megdal of High Post Hoops reports that Wiese’s extension will pay her $80,000 in 2021 and $82,400 in 2022. She is currently making $68,000 on her rookie contract this season.
Can report that @swiesebaby24's extension is two years, $80k, then $82,400. Another underappreciated player, that looks like a bargain from this view. No protection, either, but two-way players with her size aren't easy to find. #WNBA
— Howard Megdal (@howardmegdal) May 15, 2020
Wiese — who was selected 11th overall in the 2017 WNBA Draft — had a career year in 2019 after struggling with a knee injury in 2018 and barely earning any playing time as a rookie.
The 6-foot guard averaged career-highs in minutes (20.6), points (4.8), rebounds (1.3), assists (1.8) and steals (0.5) while shooting 36.6% from the three-point line. She went from and end-of-bench player to starting half of her games at shooting guard.
Most importantly, Wiese developed a strong relationship with first-year head coach Derek Fisher. Fisher shares some similarities with Wiese, as both are left-handed guards with a low dribble and a quick release, and Wiese thrived in Fisher’s offense while showing a lot of potential on defense as well.
The Sparks drafted Tynice Martin, a guard out of West Virginia, in the third round of last month’s WNBA draft. Team sources indicated that Martin would have a shot at making the final roster, but Wiese’s extension is bad news for the rookie.
Getting Wiese — who was scheduled to enter restricted free agency after this season — locked up long term helps the Sparks’ plan for next offseason. Los Angeles will have plenty of moves to make at that point, with All-Stars Chelsea Gray, Candace Parker, Nneka Ogwumike, and Chiney Ogwumike all reaching free agency.
The 2020 WNBA season was scheduled to tip off today, May 15, but has been indefinitely postponed. The Sparks are currently conducting virtual training camp until teams are allowed to meet in person.
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