Several weeks after being released by the LA Sparks, Kianna Smith has re-signed with the team the drafted her 16th overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft.
Smith, who spent her final two collegiate seasons with Louisville, made her rookie debut the same day that she rejoined the Sparks. The California native came off the bench to see eight minutes of play. She logged three rebounds, two assists, and one steal while missing her only field goal attempt.
Not much information has been released on the contract other than Smith is on a 7-day contract after being granted a hardship exception by the WNBA. The WNBA only allows 7-day contracts in the back half of the season and are for base minimum salary. A team can only sign a player to a maximum of three 7-day contracts in one season. Hardship exception contracts require a team to have multiple players out due to illness, injury, or other emergency-related events in order to sign a free agent.
LA would go on to defeat the Phoenix Mercury at home 78-75 to improve to 10-11. The Sparks host the Seattle Storm on Thursday, which will be the final game in the stretch of Smith's current contract.
In other news, we are 44 days away from the first regular season women's sporting event of the regular season- Louisville women's soccer hosting UIC.
Happy Tuesday and Go Cards!
Jared
It'll be interesting to see how long Kianna remains on the roster, The Sparks currently have four players on the injury report list -- three guards -- K. Tolliver (calf), B. Sykes (illness), C. Carter (knee) and a forward -- R. Burrell (knee). Burrell isn't expected back anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see she got playing time Monday.
Nick O
Smith could be a key backup guard for LA, but Cambridge and the "Og" sisters are the show for LA. I do hope they make the playoffs.
ReplyDeleteBlue Lou