Since the Los Angeles Sparks initiated the WNBA free agency period with a high-profile trade for Kelsey Plum, they have been busy enhancing their roster throughout the offseason. In one of their recent moves, the Sparks re-signed a familiar name, former first-round selection Maria Kliundikova, previously known as Maria Vadeeva.
Now known as Maria Kliundikova, or ‘Masha,’ she played under her former name the last time she was on the Sparks. She is expected to vie for a spot on the roster during the Sparks’ training camp. Her signing elevates the team’s roster count to 14 players.
WNBA teams can have as many as 18 players in training camp, but they must reduce that number to 11 or 12 ahead of the regular season. In a statement provided by the Sparks, Kliundikova shared her excitement about returning to the organization that first drafted her.
“I am very happy to be back with the Sparks,” Kliundikova expressed. “Everything has changed here, and there’s a new and exciting energy. This is a new challenge for me, too, and I think we will succeed together as a team.”
Following Kliundikova’s addition, the Sparks’ frontcourt depth chart appears to feature Cameron Brink and Dearica Hamby as the preferred starters, with Azurá Stevens and Mercedes Russell likely serving as backups. Emma Cannon and Kliundikova seem to be competing for a roster position.
Maria Kliundikova returns to Sparks
The Sparks originally drafted Kliundikova with the 11th overall pick in the 2018 WNBA Draft. She spent two seasons with the Sparks before taking a break from the league to play overseas. During her time abroad, the Sparks retained her free agent rights.
In her second WNBA season, 2019, she had her most productive year statistically, participating in 15 games and making one start, averaging nearly 12 minutes on the court. That season, she posted averages of 7.8 points, 3.9 rebounds, and 1.0 steals, with shooting splits of 49 percent from the field, 31.3 percent from three-point range, and 76.9 percent from the free-throw line.
Kliundikova recently concluded a commendable season in Russia with UMMC Ekaterinburg, where she played in 13 games, averaging 9.3 points and 5.8 rebounds, shooting 50 percent from the field and 87.5 percent from the free-throw line.
A talented center, Kliundikova has demonstrated the ability to score effectively in the paint, while also being capable of stretching the floor with her three-point shooting.
Image Source: Maria Kliundikova @ Instagram
