LA Adds Baylor Standout and National Champion to Frontcourt
LOS ANGELES (June 30, 2021) – The Los Angeles Sparks signed the 2020 No. 3 overall pick Lauren Cox to a rest of season contract, the team announced today. Cox, a 6-foot-4 center, was a collegiate superstar, helping Baylor University win the 2019 National Championship. She was a three-time All-American, two-time Big 12 Defensive Player of the Year, the 2020 Big 12 Player of the Year, and a 2020 Naismith Player of the Year Finalist. She played alongside current LA Sparks guard Te’a Cooper in her final season at Baylor.
“We’re excited to add Lauren Cox to our organization,” General Manager and Head Coach Derek Fisher said. “Lauren delivered on the biggest stage in college as an efficient scorer, skilled passer, and tenacious rebounder for one of the nation’s most accomplished programs. We believe in her potential to be an impact player in this league and look forward to welcoming her to the Sparks family.”
Cox was selected in the lottery of the 2020 draft by the Indiana Fever. In her rookie season, she appeared in 14 games and averaged 3.6 points and 3.3 rebounds in 13.1 minutes per game. This season, she appeared in 11 games in Indiana seeing just 8.6 minutes of action per contest.
“I’m extremely excited and grateful for this new opportunity,” Cox said. “LA has great players and leadership so I’m really looking forward to joining the team and learning from everyone.”
Cox is from Grapevine, Texas and along with her sister Whitney, earned the Pat Summitt Most Courageous Award from the United States Professional Basketball Writers Association for her community involvement and on-court excellence while playing with type 1 diabetes. The award is given to athletes showing extraordinary courage and reflecting honor.
The LA Sparks are celebrating their 25th WNBA season.