The open practice was a chance for fans to meet and greet with their favorite Sparks players and get a chance to see a sneak preview of the 2009 Sparks.

The rally opened with the introduction and dance performance of the SparKIDS. After the kids, the WNBA’s most popular dance team, the Ole Skool Crew grooved for an audience of nearly 500.

With the crowd ready to see their team, announcer Roger Gitlin proudly introduced the 2009 Los Angeles Sparks, one by one.

From newcomers Ashley Paris and Lindsay Wisdom-Hylton, to Sparks’ veterans DeLisha Milton-Jones and Lisa Leslie, the fans gave every Spark a warm and rousing welcome.

Head Coach Michael Cooper addressed the fans. Not only did Coop predict an outstanding season for Sparks’ fans to be proud of, but he said the team would do nothing short of bringing home a third WNBA championship to the city of Los Angeles.

The excitement didn’t end once the practice started. Fans hung on every running, passing and shooting drill the team conducted. Crowd reaction to a converted lay up or three-point shot was as if it they were watching a regular season game.

At the end of practice, every player and Coop signed autographs and met fans eager for the season to begin.

The Sparks tip –off the 2009 WNBA season on June 6 at STAPLES Center versus the defending champion Detroit Shock at 11:30 am. For more information on season or group tickets logon to www.lasparks.com or call 877-44-SPARKS.