Bradford and Holmes signed to training camp contracts
LOS ANGELES (April 13, 2023) – The Los Angeles Sparks announced today the signings of forward Crystal Bradford and center Joyner Holmes to training camp contracts.
Bradford averaged a double-double this season at Athletes Unlimited with 14.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game. Bradford finished seventh on the AU leaderboard with 5,419 points. Bradford’s most recent WNBA season was in 2021 with the Atlanta Dream, where she started in seven of 22 games played. In 18.3 minutes per game, she averaged 8.8 points, 3.8 rebounds, and 1.2 steals per game, while shooting 36% from three on 3.4 attempts per game.
“In getting to know Crystal Bradford over the past months, it’s clear that she is focused on making the most of her opportunity to come into our training camp and compete,” said Sparks CAO and GM Karen Bryant. “We’re excited for her to join our camp.”
This will be Bradford’s second stint with the Sparks. She was drafted seventh overall by the Sparks in 2015 and averaged 2.7 points and 1.3 rebounds over the course of 15 games in her rookie season.
“Crystal is a versatile player who has the ability to help us on both ends of the floor,” said Sparks Head Coach Curt Miller. “She is an underrated playmaker and passer at the offensive end while her length and rebounding are impactful strengths defensively.”
“It’s full circle,” said Bradford. “I was drafted here and this year it just felt right, from the coaching staff to the players. I appreciate this organization for believing in me.”
Holmes, the 19th overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, is coming off a notable season with Sassari (Italy), where she averaged 18.0 points, 8.8 rebounds. 3.8 assists and 1.6 steals in 27 games. She shot 34% from three on nearly five attempts per game. Over the course of her WNBA career, she has appeared in 50 total games with New York, Las Vegas and Connecticut, averaging 2.4 points, 1.8 rebounds and 0.6 assists.
“Joyner is coming off a successful season in Italy and will provide us with additional depth in our frontcourt heading into training camp,” said Bryant. “Her familiarity with Curt’s system will be valuable and we’re excited to welcome her to Los Angeles.”
In her 2022 campaign with the Connecticut Sun, she played in 26 games, holding averages of 2.0 points, 1.3 rebounds and 0.5 assists.
“Joyner is an elite athlete and playing some of the best basketball of her career,” said Miller. “She can impact games in a variety of ways. She is an outstanding teammate and someone I am excited to work with again.”
“I am extremely happy to come to the city of LA and continue the rich basketball tradition that this program has,” said Holmes. “I am beyond grateful that Curt and his staff have decided to take a chance on me. I’m excited about training and getting things underway.”