Training Camp Opens Today

Coach Michael Cooper, sounding very confident Wednesday, welcomes 19 players today to the Sparks’ preseason training camp at L.A. Southwest College.

The Sparks were a WNBA-best 28-4 in the regular season last year. Cooper believes his team is deep and talented enough after off-season moves to improve.

“Don’t be surprised if no one on this team averages more than 30 minutes [per game],” he said, talking about off-season deals that brought inside players Rhonda Mapp (6 feet 3) and Latasha Byears (5-11) to Los Angeles.

“Those two players will enable Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton to extend their range from the basket. And we’re deep and talented enough to create a lot of mismatches. I can’t wait to get started.”

First draft pick Camille Cooper (6-4) from Purdue also reports today, along with No. 2 pick Nicole Levandusky (5-8) of Xavier and No. 4 Beth Record (6-0) of Syracuse. The third pick, Notre Dame’s Kelly Siemon, decided to play for Athletes in Action.

The Sparks’ only home exhibition game is May 12 against New York at the Pyramid in Long Beach. The season opener is May 28 at Houston. The Staples Center opener is June 5 against Cleveland.