Sparks sign LaToya Pringle

This just in from the Sparks MVP wire:

The Sparks have signed forward LaToya Pringle! LaToya joins us after being drafted #13 overall in the 2008 WNBA Draft. She spent her rookie season in Phoenix and joined the Minnesota Lynx for the 2009 season.

LaToya is a native of Nuremburg, Germany and played college basketball at the University of North Carolina where she helped the Tar Heels reach the Elite Eight in each of her four seasons.

As MVPs, you heard it first!

LOS ANGELES SPARKS SIGN FORWARD LATOYA PRINGLE

LOS ANGELES - The Los Angeles Sparks have signed forward LaToya Pringle, announced today by Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom. Per team policy, terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Pringle joins the Sparks after being drafted 13th overall by the Phoenix Mercury in the 2008 WNBA Draft. Making a big splash in her rookie season, she finished the season by starting the Mercury's final seven games and shooting an impressive 44.8% from the floor and 82.4% from the free-throw line. Her rookie year ended with her being ranked 5th in the WNBA in blocked shots (1.52 bpg) and first in the WNBA in blocks per 40 minutes (4.66).

"I saw the type of player and person LaToya is when I had the opportunity to coach her in Minnesota," said Sparks head coach Jennifer Gillom. "I knew we could use her because she is a fantastic defensive player and has a great locker room presence. I look forward to the impact she will have on our team."

After spending one season in Phoenix, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx in a multi-player trade. With the Mercury, Pringle saw action in 29 games and averaged 4.4 points and 3.5 rebounds. In 2009, she played in 17 games for the Lynx and averaged 2.2 points, 2.2 rebounds in 9.4 minutes/game.

"I am very excited to join the Sparks," said Pringle. "It is a great organization with a great team and great players. I am truly looking forward to playing with this group of talented players and I hope that I can make this team even better."

A native of Nuremberg, Germany, Pringle played college basketball at the University of North Carolina where she helped the Tar Heels reach the NCAA Elite Eight in each of her four years with the program. As a senior she was named the 2008 ACC Defensive Player of the Year and received First-Team All-Defensive honors. In her final campaign, she ranked second in the ACC in blocks (3.18bpg) which was good for 5th in the NCAA. Pringle finished her career averaging 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds and 2.43 blocks in 110 career games played.