🌎 Resumen en español · traducción automática
Tonie Morgan, exestrella de la Universidad de Kentucky, firmó un contrato de desarrollo con los LA Sparks después de ser seleccionada en el draft de la WNBA 2026 por los Chicago Sky y posteriormente liberada. Durante su última temporada en Kentucky, Morgan promedió 13.0 puntos y 7.0 asistencias por partido, liderando la nación con 286 asistencias totales y ganando el premio Nancy Lieberman Point Guard del Año. Los contratos de desarrollo permiten a los jugadores participar en todas las prácticas y actividades del equipo, además de poder jugar hasta 12 partidos por temporada.
Traducción y resumen generados por IA a partir del artículo en inglés. Puede contener errores; consulte el texto original.
The Los Angeles Sparks signed University of Kentucky women’s basketball alumna Tonie Morgan to a development player contract on Friday, according to the organization’s announcement.
Morgan, the 32nd overall pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft, was initially selected by the Chicago Sky in April but waived on May 3. She has since been playing in the 3×3 Basketball Association.
Sparks Assistant General Manager Zach Knowlton praised the acquisition in a statement. “She is a dynamic playmaker who has consistently demonstrated the ability to elevate those around her,” Knowlton said. “Her competitiveness, court vision and feel for the game make her an excellent addition to our development program.”
WNBA player development contracts represent a new roster designation introduced in the 2026 collective bargaining agreement. Teams are permitted to carry up to two such players on their rosters, and they must have three or fewer years of professional service in the league. Players signed to development contracts can participate in all team practices and activities, including travel, and can be activated for up to 12 games per season or converted to standard roster contracts at any time.
At Kentucky, Morgan concluded last season as one of just two players nationally averaging at least 13.0 points per game and 7.0 assists per game. She ranked first in the nation in total assists with 286 and second in assists per game at 7.94, both school single-season records. The All-SEC Second Team selection and Nancy Lieberman Point Guard of the Year finalist helped lead the Wildcats to their first Sweet 16 tournament appearance in over a decade. She also drew national attention for hitting a buzzer-beating 3-pointer against No. 5 LSU in Baton Rouge on New Year’s Day.
Morgan, who transferred to Kentucky from Georgia Tech for her final collegiate season, becomes the latest Wildcat to pursue a professional career in the WNBA.
Sources
- UK Athletics
- Chicago Sky – Chicago Sky Select Tonie Morgan With No. 32 Overall Pick in 2026 WNBA Draft
- HawkCentral – Kate Martin’s LA Sparks deal spotlights new WNBA development contracts
This article was generated by AI (claude-haiku-4-5-20251001) based on source material from UK Athletics, enriched with 2 web searches. The original source is available at https://ukathletics.com/news/2026/07/17/la-sparks-sign-tonie-morgan-to-development-player-contract/.
