NEW YORK — Amanda Zahui B. is changing coasts after signing with Los Angeles on Thursday.
The free-agent forward averaged 9.0 points, 8.5 rebounds and 1.2 blocks for New York last season.
“Amanda Zahui B. brings rebounding, size and can space the floor from the center position,” Sparks general manager and coach Derek Fisher said. “She’s a great teammate and person who brings the type of toughness and work ethic we want in our locker room. We’re really excited about her fit with the Sparks.”
Zahui B. left Minnesota after her sophomore season and was selected No. 2 in 2015 by the Tulsa Shock. She was traded to the Liberty in 2017. One of her best games with the Liberty was a career-high 37-point effort against the Sparks in which she made seven 3-pointers.
“I am thrilled at the opportunity to continue my career with the Los Angeles Sparks,” Zahui B. said. “From my first conversation with coach Fisher, I knew right away that playing for the Los Angeles Sparks was a place where I could grow not only as a player but as a person. I’m so excited to be a part of this storied franchise and compete for a championship with my new teammates and fans.”
While Zahui B. signed with the Sparks, the team lost free agent Riquna Williams to the Las Vegas Aces.
“Riquna is a proven scorer in this league, and adds a great deal of depth to a roster that already had WNBA championship aspirations,” Aces coach and president of basketball operations Bill Laimbeer said. “She brings an energy to the court whenever she enters a game, and has become a consistent threat from 3-point range over the course of her career.”
Williams was the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year in 2013 while she was with Tulsa. The eight-year veteran also broke the league’s single-game scoring record with a 51-point effort that season. That mark was later broken by her new teammate in Las Vegas, Liz Cambage.
Williams was traded to Los Angeles before the 2016 season.
Over the last three years, she has shot 39.4% from behind the 3-point line, which ranks fifth in the WNBA.
Other moves Thursday included Seattle signing Stephanie Talbot. The Storm had acquired her from from New York on Wednesday in a deal for Sami Whitcomb.
“I am really excited to join the Seattle Storm,” Talbot said. “I have always followed the team, its culture and success and I look forward to being a part of it. I also look forward to continuing the great relationship the team has with some of Australia’s greatest. I can’t wait to get over to training camp.”
The Storm also signed veteran Ty Young to a training camp contract.
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