The Los Angeles Sparks today announced the acquisition of guard Julie Allemand, center Li Yueru and a 2025 third round pick from the Chicago Sky in exchange for the number 8 pick in this year’s draft.
Allemand is the starting point guard on the Belgium National Team which beat Senegal at the FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament on February 9 to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 5-foot-8 guard has played in two seasons in the league with the Indiana Fever (2020) and Chicago Sky (2022) and has averaged 5.8 points, 4.6 assists, 3.1 rebounds in 24.4 minutes of play. She was selected 33rd overall in the 2016 WNBA Draft by the Indiana Fever and was the first player in league history to make the WNBA All-Rookie Team after being drafted in the third round.
Li Yueru was drafted with the 11th pick in the third round (35th overall) by the Atlanta Dream in 2019 and has played in one WNBA season with the Chicago Sky in 2022. In 5.1 minutes, the 6-foot-7 native of China averaged 1.8 points and 1.5 rebounds. In 2020 as a member of the China National Team in the Tokyo Olympics, she averaged 14.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and shot 78.6 percent from the field.
“Julie and Li are outstanding additions to our Sparks family. Julie is a respected international point guard with previous WNBA experience. She is a great floor general and helps make everyone on the court better,” said head coach Curt Miller. “Li is currently having an outstanding season in Turkey and will play a huge role for the Chinese National Team in the upcoming Olympics. Li has great size and will provide a nice post presence for the future.”
“We are thrilled to have Julie and Li join the Sparks. Julie is a competitor who is eager to help partner in building a culture here in LA that will be one that we can all be proud of,” said general manager Raegan Pebley. “Li not only adds depth in our interior, but she also shares that passion for winning.”
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