LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks retired DeLisha Milton-Jones' No. 8 jersey in a ceremony, making her only the second player in franchise history to have her number lifted to the rafters, joining Hall of Famer Lisa Leslie.
Milton-Jones played 12 seasons with the Sparks across two stints, from 1999-2004 and 2008-2012. She was a foundational piece of the teams that won back-to-back WNBA championships in 2001 and 2002.
During her time in Los Angeles, Milton-Jones appeared in 300 games, averaging 11.5 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.8 assists per contest. She provided consistent two-way play, anchoring the Sparks' defense while contributing offensively, recording 1.2 steals and 0.7 blocks per game.
Her versatility was a hallmark. Milton-Jones routinely guarded multiple positions, using her length and athleticism to disrupt opposing offenses.
She was named a WNBA All-Star three times during her career, twice while with Los Angeles, and earned All-WNBA Second Team honors in 2000.
The 2001 championship was the first in franchise history, with Milton-Jones playing a critical role alongside Leslie. The Sparks swept the Charlotte Sting in three games, with Milton-Jones averaging 10.7 points and six rebounds in the Finals. The following year, the Sparks repeated as champions, defeating the New York Liberty.
Very few players in WNBA history have had their jerseys retired, a distinction that reflects extraordinary impact on the court and within the community.
Milton-Jones has since transitioned into coaching, continuing to contribute to the sport's development and mentoring new generations of athletes.
