Washington, D.C. - Washington Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Trudi Lacey announced today that the team has acquired guard Natasha Lacy and forward LaToya Pringle Sanders from the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for center Nicky Anosike.
"We are happy to have acquired two versatile and experienced players in Natasha Lacy and LaToya Pringle Sanders," stated Lacy. "Both players can defend multiple positions and run the floor while adding much needed depth to our roster."
As a member of the Sparks, Lacy averaged 5.0 points, 2.0 rebounds and 1.7 assists per game and finished the 2011 season ranked fourth in steals per 40 minutes (2.8). She was originally selected in the third round (28th overall) by the Detroit Shock in the 2008 WNBA draft. In 2010, she was on the roster of the Tulsa Shock where she was second in assists (3.5 apg). A product of the University of Texas, El-Paso, Lacy enjoyed a successful international career prior to joining a WNBA team. She is currently playing alongside new Mystics forward Ashley Walker for Ceyhan BLD in Turkey.
Sanders was selected in the first round (13th overall) by the Phoenix Mercury during the 2008 WNBA draft. She finished that season ranked fifth in block shots (1.52) and first in blocks per 40 minutes (4.66). Prior to joining the Sparks, Sanders spent the 2009 season on the roster of the Minnesota Lynx where she saw action in 17 games. In 2011, Sanders averaged career highs in field goal (.473) and free throw (.889) percentage. The University of North Carolina alum is currently in her third season with the Turkish team TED Keyseri and leads the league in blocks per game (2.6).
Anosike joined the Mystics in 2011 and recorded season averages of 9.6 points and 7.1 rebounds per game.
The Washington Mystics will tip off the 2012 season on Saturday, May 19 against the Chicago Sky. Season tickets for the 2012 season are currently on sale and can be purchased by calling the Mystics Sales Office at 1-877-DC-HOOP1 or by visiting the Mystics web site at www.washingtonmystics.com.
Celebrating their 15th season, the WNBA's Washington Mystics are owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country with one of the most diverse partnership groups in all of sports. The group also owns and operates the NBA's Washington Wizards, the NHL's Washington Capitals and Verizon Center - the premier sports and entertainment venue in Washington, D.C. Monumental Sports & Entertainment also oversees the management of Kettler Capitals Iceplex, the state-of-the-art training facility for the Capitals, and George Mason University's Patriot Center.