El Segundo, CA, Feb. 4 - The Los Angeles Sparks have signed former New York Liberty point guard and WNBA veteran Teresa Weatherspoon, it was announced today by Sparks General Manager, Penny Toler. Weatherspoon, who entered the League as an inaugural member of the New York Liberty, was signed as the Sparks' first unrestricted free agent this year.

Teresa Weatherspoon Photo Gallery

Beginning with the 2004 WNBA Season, players with at least six years of service are designated Unrestricted Free Agents and may sign with any team unless such player is designated as a “Core Player.” Conditions of her contract were not released per team policy.

“We are extremely happy with our acquisition,” said Toler. “To sign such a phenomenal player at this stage is truly unbelievable. We are very excited to have her as part of our team.”

A five-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Defensive Player of the Year (1997,1998), Weatherspoon became the first player in League history to record 1,000 assists.

“We’ve just acquired another great veteran to add to the core of experience we already have,” stated Sparks Head Coach Michael Cooper. “Teresa brings versatility to our back court and a strong defensive presence to our team. We are confident that she will fit in well with our core and provide excellent leadership to our team.”

A consistent league leader in assists, Weatherspoon is currently ranked first in career assists and third in assists-to- turnover ratio. The two-time gold medal Olympian (1988, 1992) ranked sixth in assists per game and overall assists during the 2003 regular season. Averaging 31.1 mpg over her career, “T-Spoon” as she is more commonly referred to, is one of only two players in the WNBA to start in every regular season game since the league’s inception.

“Having an opportunity to play with Teresa Weatherspoon will be an honor,” smiled Sparks center Lisa Leslie. “I believe her tenacious defense and ability to push the ball up the floor will fit in perfectly with our up-tempo offense. Her experience will be essential to helping us regain our title.”

“I am truly overwhelmed,” exclaimed Weatherspoon. “I have a lot of love for the game and a lot of basketball still in me. For Penny Toler and the Sparks organization to feel the same way is simply a blessing. The Sparks are a proven championship team. To have an opportunity to play alongside athletes of their caliber is an honor and I am extremely happy to be a part of the organization. I’m looking forward to the season… I’m just getting started.”