Los Angeles Sparks sign rookie forward after several unexpected injuries

20/05/2025 18:54

Notre Dame forward Liatu King joins the team on an end-of-season hardship contract.

The Los Angeles Sparks have signed Liatu King to a rest-of-season hardship contract. King was selected in the third round of the 2025 draft — third overall — after a strong collegiate career that began at the University of Pittsburgh and ended at Notre Dame.

King averaged 11.5 points and 10.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 56.3% from the field for Notre Dame in her final season. She ranked 17th in Division I this past season in rebounding average, finishing as a semifinalist for the Katrina McClain Power Forward of the Year Award.

Now, though she was waived a week ago, she rejoins the Sparks roster on a hardship deal.

The Sparks have dealt with a slew of injuries early in the season

Cameron Brink, who tore her ACL last season, is expected to return to game action sometime in June, per ESPN's Holly Rowe.

Rae Burrell left the season opener with a right leg injury and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, while second-year standout Rickea Jackson left Sunday's game and remains day-to-day.

In large part due to Burrell's extended absence, the Sparks resorted to a hardship contract, a contact which addresses roster shortages for various reasons. While the contract is technically a rest-of-season contract, it's likely that when Burrell returns — and the team no longer is eligible for the hardship — King would get released.