Veteran WNBA coach Latricia Trammell has returned to the Los Angeles Sparks as special assistant to head coach Lynne Roberts, the team announced Tuesday. The move reunites Trammell with the franchise where she previously served as a top defensive assistant from 2019 to 2022.
“I’m incredibly honored and grateful to return to the Los Angeles Sparks— an organization that holds a special place in my heart,” Trammell said. “This franchise has a rich legacy, a passionate fanbase and a commitment to excellence that aligns with everything I believe in as a coach. I want to thank Head Coach Lynne Roberts for the opportunity to be part of this exciting new chapter. I’m excited to get back to work with this talented group of players and coaching staff.”
Trammell brings nearly 30 years of coaching experience across high school, college and the professional level. Most recently, she served as head coach of the Dallas Wings from 2023 to 2024, guiding the team to a playoff berth in her first year before being dismissed after a 9-31 season in 2024. She finished her Dallas tenure with a 31-49 overall record.
Trammell Brings Defensive Expertise
Known league-wide for her defensive expertise, Trammell previously helped guide Candace Parker to the 2020 WNBA Defensive Player of the Year award during her first stint with the Sparks. Under her watch, Nneka Ogwumike and Brittney Sykes also earned multiple All-Defensive Team honors.
Her WNBA coaching career began in 2017 as an assistant with the San Antonio Stars, where she worked with then-rookie Kelsey Plum and forward Dearica Hamby — both of whom now play key roles for the Sparks.
Before entering the WNBA, Trammell had a successful collegiate career, most notably at Oklahoma City University, where she led the program to back-to-back NAIA national championships in 2014 and 2015. She was named NAIA Coach of the Year both seasons.
Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts praised the hire, calling Trammell a valuable addition at a critical point in the season.
“We’re excited and fortunate to have LT formally join our staff,” Roberts said. “She’s an experienced coach and a tremendous person. I’m looking forward to working closely with her as we make a push for the playoffs.”
Sparks Still Battling for Playoffs
The Sparks hold an 8-14 record, placing them sixth in the Western Conference. While the team has already matched its win total from the 2024 season, inconsistency continues to plague Los Angeles. The Sparks have struggled to close games, and several narrow losses have stalled their momentum in the standings.
The addition of Plum in the offseason brought much-needed experience and improved backcourt play. Hamby remains a cornerstone, leading the team in points and rebounds, while Azurá Stevens is having a career-best season with steady offensive production and rebounding.
The Sparks have leaned heavily on a small group of high-usage players, and limited bench contributions have made it difficult to sustain strong performances across four quarters.
Roberts has emphasized the need for a more aggressive and consistent approach, but the team has yet to find its rhythm for a full 40-minute effort. Wins over teams like the Washington Mystics and Connecticut Sun have shown flashes of the group’s potential, but the Sparks will need a stronger second half to keep playoff hopes alive.
