EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Jan. 8, 2007 — The Los Angeles Sparks selected Ayana Walker from the Charlotte Sting with the 12th pick in the WNBA's Dispersal Draft held via conference call.

The Sparks selected veteran forward Ayana Walker with the 12th pick in Monday's dispersal draft.

Walker has averaged 2.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists over her five-year WNBA career with the Detroit Shock and the Charlotte Sting. She earned a title with Detroit in 2003, helping the Shock dispatch the Sparks in the Finals.

A 6-3 forward from Louisiana Tech, Walker was drafted by Detroit in the second round of the 2002 WNBA draft (20th overall), and was signed as a free agent by Charlotte in July of 2005. She was USA Basketball's Female Athlete of the Year in 2001 and was a member of two gold-medal teams in 2001: USA Basketball's Women's National Team and USA Basketball's World University Games Team.

"I'm incredibly happy to be coming to Los Angeles to play for my sixth season," said Walker. "It's an incredible opportunity to play for the Sparks and I look forward to improving myself as a player and contributing what I can offensively and defensively."

Entering their 11th season, the Sparks will operate under new ownership led by investors Katherine Goodman and Carla Christofferson. The Sparks will open the 2007 season in Chicago when they take on the Sky on May 22. For ticket information on the Sparks' home opener at STAPLES Center on June 8 against the Minnesota Lynx, call (877) 44-SPARKS.