Jasmine Walker Returns to WNBA Play
Former Alabama women’s basketball player Jasmine Walker took the floor for the Los Angeles Sparks in its preseason game on Saturday night.
Walker started at power forward and played thirteen minutes, recording five points and four rebounds in the Sparks 81-68 loss to the Seattle Storm.
This was the first time Walker saw action since May, 21, 2021 after a torn ACL in her right knee during the second game of the season ended her rookie campaign early.
After rehab, surgery, and a long off-season, Walker returned to the floor for spring training with the Sparks which began on April 17 at UCLA Health Training Center. Walker entered the twenty team roster as one of nine returners from the 2021 Sparks team.
Before the injury, Walker looked to show promise in her rookie season as she led the Sparks with 23 points and nine rebounds in its 2021 preseason game against the Las Vegas Aces.
The Sparks finished the 2021 season with a 12-20 record, ranking tenth in the twelve-team league.
Walker was the seventh Alabama player to be selected in the WNBA Draft and the first since 2005. In her senior season at Alabama, Walker averaged 19.1 points, 9.4 rebounds, and 1.5 assists per game picking up All-SEC first-team honors and earning a spot on the WBCA Honorable Mention All-American team.
Walker also broke the Crimson Tide’s single-game scoring record with 41 points against Auburn in the same season.
The Sparks will begin the regular season on Friday, May 6 at 7 p.m. CST against the Chicago Sky in Wintrust Arena.