Returning from a successful offseason in Poland, 2012 Rookie of the Year Nneka Ogwumike was excited to rejoin her teammates and return to Los Angeles at Sparks training camp on Thursday.

“I was overseas and had a successful year,” Ogwumike said. “But I’m ready to be back in L.A. I have been telling people, I feel like I’m at home now.”

With a full season of WNBA experience under her belt, Ogwumike’s first priority is making her new teammates feel comfortable.

“Last year as a rookie, everything was new to me and I didn’t really know what to expect. But now I do and I almost feel like a seasoned veteran because I know what it is like; I know my teammates. I’m just trying my best to make everyone feel welcome. That’s what we’re all about here in L.A. and I’m just really excited to get the season started.”

Now five days into camp, Head Coach Carol Ross is adamant on the intensity level of each drill, especially defensive principals and mentality.

“That is totally her [Coach Ross]. I totally agree with what she was saying. She said we were kind of winding down when we need to wind up. Training camp has almost been a week-in at this point, but we can’t have any let-downs.”

With the Sparks first preseason game this Sunday, against the Seattle Storm at the Walter Pyramid, Ross and assistant Coach Sandy Brondello emphasized defense with situational half-court scrimmages.

“The earlier we get to work on defense the better,” Ogwumike said. “Coach has a very defensive, aggressive mentality. We do things, not necessarily the right way, but in whatever way it can get done. As soon as you instill that type of mentality, it’s hard to get rid of it.”

“Slowly, but surely, things are coming together.”

And come together they will when the Sparks take the court on Opening Night (Sunday, May 26) and begin their quest to win Los Angeles another WNBA Championship.

“I am really excited about Lindsey joining the Sparks family,” said Toler. “She is a dynamic player who will add to our already explosive backcourt. Lindsey will be our starting point guard who will lead us to our next WNBA Championship.”

A 5-8 guard, Harding is a six-year WNBA veteran who owns career averages of 11.2 points, 4.2 assists and 3.3 rebounds in 180 games (163 starts) played, most recently with the Atlanta Dream (2011,2012). She reunites with former Duke and Mystics teammate, guard/forward Alana Beard, as the second Blue Devil alum on the Sparks roster.

"I want to thank the owners, coaches, players, and most of all the wonderful Atlanta Dream fans for all of their support while making my time in Atlanta memorable,” said Harding. “Now I'm looking forward to playing for the Los Angeles Sparks and their enthusiastic fans, another organization dedicated to excellence and winning. I'm also thrilled to once-again be coached by Coach Ross while playing alongside an ensemble of talented players, including my college and former Mystics teammate Alana Beard."

Harding played in all 68 games, including 65 starts, during her two seasons in Atlanta. Last season she averaged 12.3 points, a team-high 4.5 assists and lead the Dream in free-throw percentage at a career-best 81.8 percent (90-of-110). During her first season in Atlanta, Harding set career-highs in assists (4.8 apg) and field goal percentage (.455), while leading the team in minutes (30.5 mpg). Prior to Atlanta, she spent two seasons with the Washington Mystics where she started all 68 games. In 2010, she earned her first WNBA All-Star selection en route to leading Washington to the Eastern Conference regular season title. During her first season with the Mystics (2009), she averaged a career-high 12.8 points and team-high 4.5 assists while leading the league in total minutes played (1194) and minutes per game (35.1).

Originally selected as No. 1 overall pick by Phoenix in the 2007 WNBA Draft, she was traded to Minnesota where she played two seasons (2007, 2008) and was a member of the 2007 WNBA All-Rookie Team.

"We're thrilled about the addition of Lindsey Harding, it's another bold and positive step for the Sparks,” said head coach Carol Ross. “Lindsey is a talented, dynamic point guard built for speed and aggression. She will add to an already exciting guard tandem of Kristi Toliver and Alana Beard."

During her collegiate career at Duke, Harding aided the Blue Devils to a 128-12 (.914) record and four NCAA Tournament appearances. In 2007, she was named the Naismith National Player of the Year, the inaugural WBCA National Defensive Player of the Year and on Jan. 20 became Duke’s second women’s basketball player to have her number (10) retired. The two-time ACC Defensive Player of the Year, Harding is only the second women’s basketball player in school history to register over 1,000 points, 500 assists and rebounds and 250 steals.

“We are very pleased with Kristi’s continued growth over the past few seasons in Los Angeles,” said Toler. “She is committed and dedicated to improving both herself and the team. Kristi is a core piece of the puzzle that we need to lead us to our next WNBA Championship.”

In three seasons with Los Angeles, Toliver has appeared in 100 games (54 starts) and registered averages of 12.4 points, 3.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 25.3 minutes per game. She earned the 2012 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year award after pacing the Sparks with team and career-highs in points (17.5 ppg), assists (4.9 apg), rebounds (3.2 rpg), and minutes (31.5 mpg) in 34 games (33 starts) last season.

"I couldn't be more fired up and humbled to remain with the Sparks for seasons to come,” said Toliver. “Los Angeles is about winning championships and I am determined to help bring another one back to this city. There is an expectation that lives here, and I’m honored to be part of that commitment.”

As a rookie (2011), O’Hea averaged 4.8 points, 1.5 rebounds and 1.3 assists in 31 games and finished the season ranked second in the WNBA in three-point field goal percentage (.444). O’Hea is currently playing in Australia for the Dandenong Rangers where she is averaging 14.7 points, 6.1 assists and 30.4 minutes through 23 games played.

Ferrari, a 5-10 guard from Paraguay, has played professionally in Spain, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay and Peru. Last season she averaged 17.1 points, 3.6 rebounds and 34.3 minutes in 25 games with Soller Bon Dia in Spain. Ferrari recently signed with Perfumerias in Spain, and through her first five games is averaging 2.6 points, 3.0 rebounds and 11.0 minutes.

Anti-Flopping Rule and Defensive Three-Seconds Instituted; Three-Point Line Extended

The WNBA will implement new rules regarding flopping and defensive three-seconds, while also extending the three-point line, Chief of Basketball Operations and Player Relations Renee Brown announced today following the league’s Board of Governor’s Meeting. The rules will go into effect beginning with the 2013 season.

“Flops that are intended to mislead referees into calling undeserved fouls or fool fans into believing a foul call was missed are a detriment to the game," Brown said. "With that, both the Board of Governors and the Competition Committee felt strongly that a player who, upon video review by the league, is believed to have committed a flop will, after an initial warning, be given an automatic penalty.”

“Flopping” will be defined as any physical act that, upon review, reasonably appears to have been intended to cause the referees to call a foul on another player.

The primary factor in determining if a player committed a flop is whether her physical reaction to an action by another player (whether or not that action resulted in contact) is inconsistent with what would reasonably be expected given the force, direction, or nature of the action of the other player. An example would be a player who lunges, flails, or falls following minimal or non-existent contact with an opponent.

Physical acts that constitute legitimate basketball plays (such as moving to a spot in order to draw an offensive foul) and minor physical reactions to contact will not be treated as flops.

During preseason games, warning will be given for acts judged to be flops. Any player who is determined to have committed a flop during the regular season will, upon the first offense, receive a warning. Subsequent violations will result in fines of increasing amounts. Beginning with a sixth violation, a player will be subject to a further increased fine and/or suspension.

The league will announce at a later date a separate set of penalties for flopping that will apply during the playoffs.

The three-point line will be extended from 20 feet, 6 1/4 inches to 22 feet, 1 3/4 inches, consistent with the distance inherent in all FIBA competitions.

“We extended the line to its current distance of 20 feet, 6 1/4 inches in 2004 and our three-point shooting percentage increased,” said Brown. “Since then the talent level and the athleticism of our players has only continued to increase; and with a significant percentage of our players also playing – and excelling – internationally, this brings us into line with the international game. The extended three-point line and defensive three-second rule will create spacing and open up the lane. The improved spacing will create increased opportunities for athletic players to drive to the basket and either shoot or pass the ball back out to open players on the perimeter.”

Under the new defensive three-second rule, a violation will result in a technical foul being assessed if a defensive player violates the “actively guarding” guidelines. Following the free throw for the technical foul, the offense will maintain possession of the ball at the free throw line extended.

Slight changes also have been made with regard to the use of instant replay as it pertains to flagrant fouls and the restricted area.

Whereas previous rules allowed for replay review of Flagrant Foul 2’s but not Flagrant Foul 1’s, the level of the foul will now be assigned only after the play has been reviewed. Replay procedures are also being instituted during the final minute of regulation and overtime if officials determine the offensive player committed the illegal contact but are uncertain as to whether the defender was inside or outside the restricted area.

The Los Angeles Sparks have named Vincent Malcolm as the new President, the team announced today. He brings over 30 years of experience in the areas of media, marketing, corporate sponsorships, television and radio.

"It is an exciting day for the Sparks organization to be announcing the hiring of Vincent Malcolm," Sparks CEO Paula Madison said. "Vinnie's business acumen, as well as his knowledge of the city of Los Angeles will be vital in the growth of the Sparks."

Malcolm was previously the managing director of The Malcolm Group. Created in February 2008, The Malcolm Group (TMG) provides consultancy in all areas of media, marketing, corporate sponsorships, branding and business development. TMG has and or is currently working on projects for clients such as Lionsgate Films, USC Athletics, The Africa Channel, Free All Media.com and KDOC-TV among others. In addition, Malcolm and his wife Paula recently purchased and are the owner/operators of The Shave of Beverly Hills, a men's luxury brand.

"I am thrilled about this opportunity to join the Sparks and help take the organization to a new level," Malcolm said. "The Sparks are coming off of a successful 2012 season and I look forward to my role in ensuring the 2013 campaign is even better."

Prior to TMG, Malcolm was vice president/general manager of KTLA-TV (CW5), Los Angeles, from March 2004 to February 2008. He was responsible for all aspects of the station. Before that, he was station manager from 2002 to 2004, and was responsible for overseeing the sales, production, news, engineering and creative services departments, and for developing the station's strategic and operating plans.

From 1998 to 2002, Malcolm Served as general sales manager at KTLA, responsible for the station's sales and marketing functions, including local and national sales and research. He was the station's local sales manager from 1994 to 1998, after serving nine months as regional sales manager upon joining KTLA in 1994.

Prior to KTLA, Malcolm held account executive positions at KCAL-TV, Los Angeles, from 1990 to 1994; KIIS-FM, Los Angeles, from 1987 to 1990; and WYNY-FM, New York, from 1983 to 1985. He began his career as a media buyer at Grey Advertising in New York in 1980.

Born August 9, 1958, in Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Malcolm holds a bachelor's degree in marketing and advertising from Baruch College in New York. He serves on the board of directors for the Los Angeles Minority Advertising Training Program, The Los Angeles Urban League, Junior Achievement, and the California Broadcasters Association.

The Los Angeles Sparks named Penny Toler the Executive Vice President and General Manager, the team announced today. Toler was previously named Vice President in 2009 and has been General Manager of the team since 1999.

"Penny has been a part of this team as long as there has been a WNBA," Sparks CEO Paula Madison said. "Along with building a championship caliber team, she continues to be an integral piece in enhancing our day-to-day business operations."

In her role as Executive Vice President, Toler will continue to oversee basketball operations, in addition to the communications, community relations and marketing departments, working closely with new Team President Vincent Malcolm.

"I am excited and happy to further expand my role into the key business operations of the team," Toler said. "2012 was a good season, and we have even bigger plans for next year."

Penny Toler has served as General Manager of the Los Angeles Sparks for the past 13 seasons, and since 2010 has held the dual title of Vice President. Her skill at roster-building – bringing some of the most talented female athletes in the world to Los Angeles – and keen sense of basketball operations are complimented by her years as a professional athlete. Through her experience she has assembled the rosters of two back-to-back WNBA championship teams with the Sparks in 2001 and 2002.

In her 13 seasons as General Manager, Toler has guided the team to the WNBA Playoffs 11 times (2000-06 and 2008-10, 2012), as well as three conference championships in 2001, 2002 and 2003, to go along with the pair of WNBA titles. In an effort to advance the women’s game, Toler was a strong advocate in implementing the 24 second shot clock and turning the two, 20-minutes halves into four, 10-minute quarters.

Toler has also been a member of the USA Basketball Women’s Competition Committee where she assisted in the selection of three gold medal winning teams: the 2002 World University Championship games, the 2004 Olympic team and the 2008 Olympic team.

Toler made history again in 2006 when her No. 11 Sparks jersey became the first female athlete’s jersey to be retired at the STAPLES Center in recognition both of her playing and management career.

She scored the first basket in WNBA history on June 21, 1997 vs. the New York Liberty, and finished the inaugural season as the Sparks’ second leading scorer with 13.1 ppg.

NEW YORK, Oct 7, 2012 – Los Angeles Sparks forward Nneka Ogwumike earned the 2012 WNBA Rookie of the Year award, the league announced today. Ogwumike received 39 votes from a national panel of 41 sportswriters and broadcasters.

Phoenix Mercury guard Samantha Prahalis and Tulsa Shock forward Glory Johnson each received one vote.

The honor for Ogwumike marked the fifth straight season in which the No. 1 overall pick in the Draft went on to be named WNBA Rookie of the Year. She follows Maya Moore (2011), Tina Charles (2010), Angel McCoughtry (2009), and Candace Parker (2008).

Ogwumike helped the 2012 Sparks author a significant turnaround after Los Angeles missed the postseason last year. The Sparks finished the 2012 regular season with the league’s third-best record (24-10) and earned the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference of the WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile. Los Angeles is now taking on the Minnesota Lynx in the Western Conference Semifinals.

A product of Stanford University, Ogwumike led the league’s rookies in points (14 ppg), rebounds (7.5 rpg), and double-doubles (nine), while ranking second in field-goal percentage (.535, 178-of-333), fourth in steals (1.39 spg), and fifth in assists (1.2 apg).

In a season marked by a consistently strong performance, Ogwumike earned the league’s Rookie of the Month honors four of five times, taking home the award in May, July, August, and September.

The 6-2 forward scored 20-or-more points seven times, with her highest output coming on Sept. 13, an 86-77 victory against the Chicago Sky, when she recorded a double-double with a career-best 30 points and 11 rebounds. In another notable performance, she logged 22 points and 20 rebounds game in a 77-74 win at Indiana on July 12.

In honor of being named the 2012 Rookie of the Year, Ogwumike will receive $5,000 and a specially designed trophy by Tiffany & Co.

NEW YORK – The Los Angeles Sparks’ coach Carol Ross is the recipient of the 2012 WNBA Coach of the Year Award, the league announced today. Ross received 15 votes from a national panel of 41 sportswriters and broadcasters. Connecticut’s Mike Thibault, the 2006 winner, finished second with 12 votes, while Minnesota’s Cheryl Reeve, the winner last season, received nine votes. Gary Kloppenburg of Tulsa (three votes) and Dan Hughes of San Antonio (two) rounded out the vote-getters.

Ross is the third member of the Los Angeles organization to receive WNBA honors in 2012. Last week, Sparks’ guard Kristi Toliver was named the 2012 WNBA Most Improved Player presented by Boost Mobile. Earlier today, forward Nneka Ogwumike was honored as the league’s Rookie of the Year.

In 2012, the Sparks authored a significant turnaround, finishing the regular season with the league’s third-best record (24-10) and earning the No. 2 seed in the Western Conference of the WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile. Los Angeles’ nine-game improvement over last season (15-19) is the second-largest turnaround in franchise history. The Sparks are now taking on the Minnesota Lynx in the Western Conference Semifinals.

WNBA success is not new to Ross, who, as an assistant with Atlanta under Marynell Meadors from 2009-11, helped the Dream earn a pair of Eastern Conference crowns and a berth in the WNBA Finals in each of the past two seasons. In 2009, her first campaign with the Dream, Ross helped build the framework of those championship-contending teams as Atlanta enjoyed a 14-game turnaround from its inaugural WNBA season of 2008, tied for second place in the Eastern Conference and earned a berth in the playoffs.

Not only have teams thrived with Ross on the sidelines but individual players have excelled as well, particularly in Los Angeles where Toliver flourished under the first-year head coach’s tutelage. In her fourth season in the league, Toliver posted career highs in scoring (17.5 ppg, sixth best in the WNBA this year), field goal percentage (.491, 197-of-401), assists (4.9 apg), rebounds (3.2 rpg), and steals (1.3 apg). She scored 20-plus points in every game played in August and was honored as the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile.

Similarly, with Ross at the helm, Sparks forward Candace Parker returned to her All-Star form after a pair of injury shortened seasons and guard Alana Beard overcame career-threatening foot and ankle injuries to excel for Los Angeles. Parker led the league in blocks (2.3 bpg), ranked third in rebounds (9.7 rpg), and seventh in scoring (17.4 ppg). Beard, in her seventh season, registered the top three-point field goal percentage of her career (.402, 35-of-87), and her second best marks for field goal percentage (.436, 137-of-314) and free throw percentage (.795, 66-of-83). Ogwumike led all rookies in scoring (14 ppg), rebounds (7.5 rpg), and double-doubles (nine).

Prior to her tenure in WNBA, Ross amassed a 324-161 (.668) record in 16 seasons as an NCAA Division I head coach in the Southeastern Conference, guiding her teams to 12 NCAA Tournaments and two WNIT appearances. Twelve of those seasons (1990-02) were spent at the University of Florida – where she coached current Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones, who would go on to become a two-time WNBA All-Star, win two WNBA championships, and earn a pair of Olympic gold medals.

NEW YORK – Los Angeles Sparks guard Kristi Toliver is the winner of the 2012 WNBA Most Improved Player presented by Boost Mobile, the league announced today. Toliver received 24 out of 41 votes from a panel of national and local sportswriters and broadcasters. Phoenix Mercury guard/forward DeWanna Bonner was the runner-up (7). Chicago Sky guard Epiphanny Prince (6), Minnesota Lynx forward Rebekkah Brunson forward (2), and Connecticut Sun guard Kara Lawson (2) received the remaining votes.

In her fourth season in the league, Toliver started all but one of 34 games for the Sparks. She posted career highs in scoring (17.5 ppg), assists (4.9 apg), rebounds, (3.2 rpg), and steals (1.3 apg). Toliver also established career highs in field goal percentage (.491) and minutes (31.5 mpg). She scored at least 10 points in all but six games, including an 11-game streak of double-digit scoring (July 5-Sept. 2). She scored 20-plus points in every game played in August and was honored as the WNBA Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile.

Toliver ranked sixth in the league in scoring, fourth in assists and second in free-throw percentage (.901). She scored a career-high 29 points three times throughout the season. The three 29-point performances came in wins against Western Conference foes: Phoenix (93-84 on June 23), Minnesota (96-90 on July 5), and San Antonio (101-77 on Aug. 23), the Sparks’ first round opponent of the 2012 WNBA Playoffs presented by Boost Mobile.

Toliver is in her third year with the Sparks, she was drafted third overall in 2009 by the Chicago Sky. Toliver has improved in total points and steals every year since being in the league. She has helped her Sparks squad return to the Playoffs after not qualifying last year. The Sparks finished the 2012 season with a 24-10 record and the second seed in the West for the Playoffs. The Sparks 24 wins is a nine win improvement from last year.

In honor of being named the Most Improved Player of the Year presented by Boost Mobile, Toliver will receive $5,000 and a trophy specially designed by Tiffany & Co.

Below are the complete voting results for the 2012 WNBA Most Improved Player of the Year Award and a list of past recipients:

2012 MOST IMPROVED PLAYER OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY BOOST MOBILE RESULTS

Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker was named the Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile, and forward Nneka Ogwumike was named the for games played in the month of September.

Parker is being honored with the Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile distinction for the fourth time this season (May, June, July and September). Led by Parker, the Los Angeles Sparks have swept this honor for the 2012 season, with Kristi Toliver receiving the honor in August.

The five-year veteran from the University of Tennessee led the Sparks (24-10) to a 5-3 record in the final weeks of the regular season, seeding them second in the West going into the postseason. For the month, Parker ranked second in the league in rebounds per game (9.5), fourth in the West in shooting percentage (.523) and third in the West in scoring (16.9 ppg).

Parker was the first player in league history to receive both the WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same year (2008). A standout in the 2012 Olympics where she helped the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team win her second and the team’s fifth-straight gold medal, an Olympic record for traditional women’s team sports.

Highlights of Parker’s month included:
- Sept. 7 at Washington: Recorded a season-high eight assists
- Sept. 9 at New York: Double-double with 15 rebounds and 14 points
- Sept. 14 vs. Connecticut: Double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds
- Sept. 18 vs. Phoenix: Double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds
- Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota: Double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds

Ogwumike paced all rookies in points (15.1 ppg), rebounds (7.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (.598). Overall, Ogwumike ranked 10th in rebounds and 14th in points. Ogwumike scored a career-high 30 points and added 11 rebounds in an 86-77 win over the Chicago Sky on Sept. 13. She finished out the regular season with a double-double (22 points and 11 rebounds) in a 92-76 win over the 2011 defending champion Minnesota Lynx on Sept. 20.

The first overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, Ogwumike averaged 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Sparks. She also earned Rookie of the Month honors in May, July and August.

Highlights of Ogwumike’s month included: - Sept. 13 vs. Chicago: Double-double with 30 points (career high) and 11 rebounds
- Sept. 14 vs. Connecticut: 17 points, eight rebounds in 34 minutes
- Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota: Double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds

Parker and Ogwumike Both Win Fourth Respective Monthly Awards

Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker was named the Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile, and forward Nneka Ogwumike was named the for games played in the month of September.

Parker is being honored with the Western Conference Player of the Month presented by Boost Mobile distinction for the fourth time this season (May, June, July and September). Led by Parker, the Los Angeles Sparks have swept this honor for the 2012 season, with Kristi Toliver receiving the honor in August.

The five-year veteran from the University of Tennessee led the Sparks (24-10) to a 5-3 record in the final weeks of the regular season, seeding them second in the West going into the postseason. For the month, Parker ranked second in the league in rebounds per game (9.5), fourth in the West in shooting percentage (.523) and third in the West in scoring (16.9 ppg).

Parker was the first player in league history to receive both the WNBA MVP and Rookie of the Year awards in the same year (2008). A standout in the 2012 Olympics where she helped the U.S. Olympic Women’s Basketball Team win her second and the team’s fifth-straight gold medal, an Olympic record for traditional women’s team sports.

Highlights of Parker’s month included:
- Sept. 7 at Washington: Recorded a season-high eight assists
- Sept. 9 at New York: Double-double with 15 rebounds and 14 points
- Sept. 14 vs. Connecticut: Double-double with 23 points and 10 rebounds
- Sept. 18 vs. Phoenix: Double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds
- Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota: Double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds

Ogwumike paced all rookies in points (15.1 ppg), rebounds (7.3 rpg) and field goal percentage (.598). Overall, Ogwumike ranked 10th in rebounds and 14th in points. Ogwumike scored a career-high 30 points and added 11 rebounds in an 86-77 win over the Chicago Sky on Sept. 13. She finished out the regular season with a double-double (22 points and 11 rebounds) in a 92-76 win over the 2011 defending champion Minnesota Lynx on Sept. 20.

The first overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft presented by Boost Mobile, Ogwumike averaged 14.0 points and 7.5 rebounds for the Sparks. She also earned Rookie of the Month honors in May, July and August.

Highlights of Ogwumike’s month included: - Sept. 13 vs. Chicago: Double-double with 30 points (career high) and 11 rebounds
- Sept. 14 vs. Connecticut: 17 points, eight rebounds in 34 minutes
- Sept. 20 vs. Minnesota: Double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds