Orange in the WNBA: Syracuse’s Brittney Sykes Re-Signs with Sparks, per report

Former Syracuse Orange women’s basketball player Brittney Sykes has verbally agreed to a multi-year deal to return to the WNBA’s Los Angeles Sparks, according to Winsidr.

Last season, Sykes started in 14 games and averaged 10.1 points and 2.6 rebounds per contest. She was traded to the Sparks after spending her first three WNBA seasons with the Atlanta Dream. In four pro seasons, the former Orange woman averaged 11.1 points and 3.8 rebounds per game.

When Sykes graduated from Syracuse, she ranked third in school history with 1,846 points, first in starts (137), and third in field goals made (670). Sykes is the highest-drafted player in program history as seventh overall in 2017.

Kayla Alexander also represented Syracuse last season in the WNBA. The Minnesota Lynx player is currently an unrestricted free agent.

Last season, Alexander averaged 2.3 points and one rebound in 16 games. Prior to signing with Minnesota, Alexander had stints in Chicago, Indiana, and the San Antonio Stars (now the Las Vegas Aces). A seven-year WNBA veteran, Alexander averages 4.0 points and 2.8 rebounds per game.

At the conclusion of her Orange career, Alexander was the program leader in points (2,024), blocks (350), field goals (736), free throws made (552), and games played (140, tied). Alexander was drafted eighth overall in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

In other Orange in the Pros news, 2020 Syracuse graduate Gabrielle Cooper recently made her international debut with the Penza Peja (Superleague) in Kosovo’s first division. The four-year Orange starter tallied a double-double with 26 points and 11 rebounds last week. She also recorded five steals, four assists, and a block in the game.

Syracuse currently stands at 7-3 on the season with a 4-3 mark in Atlantic Coast Conference play. The Orange will host Pittsburgh on Thursday, Jan. 28 at 6 p.m. EST on ACCNX.