“This was a very difficult decision, but I felt it was necessary to take the team in a different direction at this point in the season. Joe’s familiarity with the Sparks organization puts us in the best possible position to compete going forward, and should make for a seamless transition,” Toler said. “We respect Jennifer’s commitment to the Sparks and understand she has faced adversity with player injuries during her tenure. That being said, with a short season and playing in the competitive Western Conference, winning games early in the year is critical and the Sparks’ goal remains to contend for a WNBA Championship.”

“I want to thank everyone in the Sparks organization for the opportunity to serve as head coach, especially Penny Toler,” Gillom said. “I enjoyed coaching the players and working alongside my staff, and am confident they will accomplish great things this season.”

Bryant, who previously served as Los Angeles’ head coach from August 2005 through the 2006 season, will assume control for the remainder of the 2011 campaign. He was hired as an assistant coach in March of this year along with Sandy Brondello, who remains on staff.

“I enjoyed working with Jennifer, and it’s never easy to replace your friend and respected colleague,” Bryant said. “What’s most important is the personnel on the floor hasn’t changed; we have the right mix of players to be a successful WNBA ballclub. Sandy and I are both competitive and this team understands the expectations we have for them the rest of the season.”

Beginning as an assistant with the Sparks in 2005, Bryant was promoted to head coach late that season and guided them to a WNBA Playoff appearance. The following year, Los Angeles finished atop the Western Conference at 25-9 – the second-best record in the league – and reached the Conference Finals.

Before returning to L.A. this off-season, Bryant served as head coach of Raru Kamuy Hokkaido, a Japanese first division men’s team, and taught at a private basketball academy in Japan. He’s also held head coaching positions with the Tokyo Apache and Italy’s Sebastiani Rieti.

As a player, Bryant enjoyed an eight-year NBA career before spending nearly a decade in Italy. He is the father of Los Angeles Lakers’ superstar Kobe Bryant.

The Sparks continue their current seven-game road trip this Tuesday, July 12 against the San Antonio Silver Stars. Tip-off is slated for 5 p.m., and the game can be seen live on NBA TV. After concluding the road swing on Friday, July 15 at Tulsa, Los Angeles returns to STAPLES Center for games against the Washington Mystics (Sunday, July 17) and San Antonio Silver Stars (Monday, July 18). Tickets for these and all remaining home games are available online at LASparks.com, by phone at 877-44-SPARKS (772757), at the STAPLES Center box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets. Season tickets, as well as flexible mini-plan options, are also available.

Chicago Sky Head Coach and General Manager Pokey Chatman announced today the acquisition of forward Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton in a deal that sent a 2012 second round draft pick to Los Angeles.

“We’re very excited to bring Lindsay to the team,” said Chatman. “She is an experienced player that’s been on a champion caliber team. She’ll bring us a skill set we need at her position and add flexibility and depth to the frontline. We’re also happy to be able to bring her back home to Chicago.”

Wisdom-Hylton, the 13th overall draft pick in 2009 averaged 3.5 points and 2.5 rebounds in 61 career regular season games with the Sparks.

A standout at Purdue, Wisdom-Hylton averaged 13.3 points and 9.2 rebounds per game in her senior season after sitting out her junior year while recovering from ACL surgery. She was named to the All-Big Ten First Team two times and the All-Defensive Big Ten team three times in her career. She left Purdue as the Boilermakers’ all-time leader in rebounds and blocked shots, and ranked second in career double-doubles with 25.

Wisdom-Hylton attended high school at Neuqua Valley High School, where she is believed to be the first female in Illinois high school history to record 1,000 points, 1,000 rebounds, 500 assists, 500 blocked shots and 500 steals.

The Sparks’ 2011 jerseys are adorned with a large “FARMERS” wordmark above the player number, replacing the Farmers’ logo-branded jerseys worn in 2009 and 2010. The new uniforms will also feature adidas’ signature three stripes along the sides, while the Sparks will retain their customary color scheme worn since their inaugural season of 1997: gold with purple trim for home games, and purple with gold trim on the road.

Designed and developed by adidas and using the same technology on NBA courts, the uniforms are 30 percent lighter and dry twice as fast as previous WNBA uniforms to help keep athletes cooler, drier and more comfortable on the court. All 12 WNBA teams will wear the new uniforms beginning this season, which tips off on June 3 when the Sparks host the Minnesota Lynx at 8 p.m. at STAPLES Center.

"As competitors we want every advantage we can to play our best on the court,” said 2008 WNBA Most Valuable Player Candace Parker of the Sparks. "Lighter uniforms that keep us cooler and drier on the court will keep us from getting too hot or uncomfortable so we can focus on our game and play even better.”

"We are excited about the Sparks’ new look as they take to the court in what we expect to be a very successful season,” said Farmers’ vice president of strategic marketing, Faye W. McClure. “The Farmers’ marquee sponsorship with the Sparks is entering its third year and we are proud that our name is associated with such a solid organization."

Fans can get their first look at the new uniforms by attending the Sparks’ 2011 WNBA Draft Party on Monday, April 11 from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the ESPN Zone L.A. Live. For more information and to RSVP, click here.

For additional details on the new adidas uniforms being worn by all WNBA teams in 2011, click here. WNBA fan gear is available at WNBAStore.com and team retailers. Women’s specific adidas TECHFIT basketball apparel will roll out at Eastbay.com beginning in May.

For Los Angeles Sparks group and season ticket information, call 877-44-SPARKS (772757) or visit LASparks.com. Individual game tickets will go on-sale to the general public beginning Monday, April 11.