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ROOKIE REPORT FROM SIDNEY SPENCER AT THE LOS ANGELES SPARKS TRAINING CAMP
April 27, 2007
EL SEGUNDO, Calif. -- Tennessee Lady Vol soon-to-be-graduated basketball forward Sidney Spencer, who was selected in the second round (25th overall) of the 2007 WNBA Draft, is currently attending the Los Angeles Sparks 2007 training camp. Spencer is not the only Tennessee Lady Vol in camp. She was joined by former UT standouts Chamique Holdsclaw (1995-99) and Gwen Jackson (1999-2003) on the opening day training camp roster. Holdsclaw is an eight-year veteran of the league and is one of 11 returning Sparks' players, while Jackson has played three years in the league and is a training camp invitee. "Training camp is intense and crazy," related Spencer on Friday afternoon. "I can tell you, my experience at Tennessee has really prepared me for everything I've gone through so far. From what I've heard, Sparks coach Michael Cooper runs the toughest preseason camp in the league. Like Pat (Summitt), he really stresses defense." The 2007 training camp, held at the Toyota Sports Center and Saint Mary's Academy in Inglewood, runs April 22 through May 5. Two practices are scheduled each day from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. and 6 p.m.-8 p.m. PDT. In addition to Holdsclaw, LA welcomes back 10 other players from the Sparks 2006 squad including Temeka Johnson, three WNBA All-Stars including former Connecticut Sun Taj McWilliams-Franklin, nine training camp invitees, and the Sparks two 2007 WNBA Draft selections, Spencer and Amanda Brown (Penn State). Absent from this year's active roster due to pregnancy is Sparks center, Lisa Leslie. The Hoover, Ala., native has been on the go since the three-day WNBA Rookie Orientation session in Chicago last week. "From Thursday to Saturday, they covered everything from finances, to security, dealing with the media, nutrition, insurance...you name it," said Spencer. "On Saturday, I was headed to Los Angeles and practice started Sunday. "Of course on the first day of practice I caught and elbow and now I have a black eye," said Spencer. "There are only three roster spots available and I'm not guaranteed one - I'm just out here working my hardest in two-a-days. So far, I'm happy with how I'm playing." Spencer was a starting forward for the 2007 National Championship Tennessee Lady Vols. She averaged 11.6 points and 4.2 rebounds over 37 games in the 2006-07 season. She was named to the SEC All-Tournament Team (2006), All-SEC Freshman Team (2004), and SEC All-Academic Teams (2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007). "I haven't had much time to see LA," said Spencer. "I've spent most of my time at the Toyota Sports Center where the Lakers, Sparks and Kings practice." The Sparks' first exhibition game will be on Tues., May 8 at the Phoenix Mercury.
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