Sparks hire Utah's Lynne Roberts to fill coaching vacancy

The Los Angeles Sparks have hired Utah women's basketball coach Lynne Roberts as their head coach, the franchise announced Tuesday.

Roberts replaces Curt Miller, whose two seasons in Los Angeles ended with a league-worst 8-32 campaign, as the Sparks failed to make the playoffs for the fourth consecutive season. Miller now is the general manager of the Dallas Wings.

Roberts, the 2023 Pac-12 Coach of the Year, takes over a Sparks team that is led by All-Star Dearica Hamby and Rickea Jackson, as well as Cameron Brink, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2024 draft. They again will have the second pick in the upcoming WNBA draft.

"The Sparks have a talented roster with tremendous upside, and we will compete tirelessly for WNBA championships," Roberts said. "I believe Los Angeles should be the premier market in the WNBA, and I'm eager to partner with our players and front office to make this happen."

Roberts leaves the Utes after nine-plus seasons, including three consecutive NCAA tournament berths. She led Utah to the conference regular-season title and a Sweet 16 appearance in 2023.

The Utes have started this season 3-1 and will be coached by Gavin Petersen, who was the school's associate head coach.

"Her ability to partner with players while creating a winning culture will translate as we continue our path toward championship contention," Sparks GM Raegan Pebley said of Roberts. "Lynne has a dynamic and forward-thinking offensive mind, and her up-tempo style fits perfectly with the way we want to play. We love how she maximized her talent at Utah in one of the nation's strongest conferences."

Information from The Associated Press was used in this report.br/]