Former Uconn star Nelson-ododa earns roster spot with Sparks

The past week has been filled with talented draft picks getting waived across the WNBA, but one former Uconn star was able to earn an elusive spot.

Center Olivia Nelsonododa made the Los Angeles Sparks’ opening night roster, the team announced on Thursday.

Drafted 19th overall by the Sparks in this year’s draft, the 6-foot-5 Nelson-ododa is one of just seven players selected in the second and third rounds to make a roster this season. However, she will miss the first game of the season against the Chicago Sky with hip injury and is considered week-toweek, according to an injury report released by the team.

Forward Katie Lou Samuelson, another former Husky, is also on the Sparks’ roster. Samuelson was traded from the Seattle Storm along with the No. 9 overall pick in the 2022 draft in exchange for Gabby

Williams but has been placed on a partial season suspension until she rejoins the team from her overseas commitments.

Sparks general manager and head coach Derek Fisher said that the team may not have even drafted Nelson-ododa if not for circumstances with Lauren Cox expected to be late to training camp and Amanda Zahui B. — now placed on the full season suspension list — not able to join the team until potentially mid June due to overseas commitments.

However, Nelson-ododa made a strong impression throughout training camp and averaged 11.5 points, 9.0 rebounds and 2.5 assists in two preseason games.

“Nelson-ododa has, I think, proven that she probably is here to stay,” Fisher said. “I mean, she does a lot of really high-level things as a basketball player. She’s smart, she’s high character, high integrity, and that’s the type of players and people that we want to build with.”