The Los Angeles Sparks will tip-off the 2010 season with two preseason games outside of Los Angeles, including one in Long Beach State University’s Pyramid, versus the San Antonio Silver Stars on Saturday, May 8th.
The inaugural WNBA game in San Diego will be a rematch of sorts for USA Basketball Women’s National Team Members Tina Thompson, DeLisha Milton-Jones and Candace Parker as they take on the team they defeated in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
“We have the amazing opportunity to play against two great teams in two outstanding facilities,” said Sparks President Kristin Bernert. “Many of our fans are located in Long Beach, and we have season ticket holders that travel from as far as San Diego. These games give us an opportunity to bring the games to them, while also creating new fans throughout Southern California.”
The China National Team comes to the United States to play two preseason games against WNBA opponents. After facing the Sparks at Viejas Arena, they will travel to San Antonio to take on the Silver Stars. The Sparks will then make the short trip to Long Beach for a rematch against the Silver Stars, their Western Conference foes, after the 2009 season series ended with a 2-2 tie.
The Sparks have long ties with Long Beach State University, having last played on the campus in 2004, while current VP/GM Penny Toler is a distinguished alumna and has her jersey retired in The Pyramid. The Sparks will also hold an open practice at the Pyramid on Friday, May 7th for fans to meet the 2010 team, watch practice, and participate in autograph sessions.