Alissa Pili was back home in Anchorage, Alaska, when she received the text. She was midway through a workout in her old high school gym, stopping briefly to check her phone.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have some good news,\u201d the message from her agent read.<\/p>\n
Minutes later, Pili was running circles around Dimond High School\u2019s basketball court in elation. Hours later, the 5-foot-11 forward was on a plane to Los Angeles after agreeing to a seven-day contract with the Sparks.<\/p>\n
It was a dream scenario for Pili, who was waived by the Minnesota Lynx on July 13 \u2014\u00a0following a first-round selection in the 2024 WNBA Draft \u2014\u00a0and signed by L.A. three weeks later.\u00a0<\/p>\n
During her time off from professional basketball, she retreated to the place she knew best.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe whole reason I wanted to go home was just to disconnect,\u201d Pili said. \u201cIt was a tough time, and so when I\u2019m with my family is when I feel very supported \u2026 and comfortable enough to go through hard things. It was better for me to be there.\u201d<\/p>\n
Her routine while back in Alaska\u2019s most populous city remained consistent.<\/p>\n
Before making the daily five-minute drive to the Dimond High School gymnasium, Pili reached out to a former teacher for court access.<\/p>\n
Pili, of both Samoan and I\u00f1upiaq (Native Alaskan) descent, grew up alongside eight siblings. Those still in Anchorage for summer break accompanied Pili each morning to help rebound and organize daily workouts.<\/p>\n
Next came a lunch break, then a trip to the turf at Dimond High Stadium for conditioning work.<\/p>\n
But on Aug. 3, the routine was cut short \u2014\u00a0and a new WNBA journey was underway.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s a crazy business,\u201d Pili said. \u201cThere\u2019s been so many changes to teams, so I think just realizing that\u2019s the reality of it and just being prepared for whatever happens is a big thing.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now, she got the chance to reunite with her former college coach \u2014\u00a0now-Sparks coach \u2014 Lynne Roberts in L.A.<\/p>\n
Alissa Pili on her mindset after signing a seven-day contract with the LA Sparks:<\/p>\n
\u201cI try not to put that pressure on myself \u2026 my mindset going in is, \u2018Make them sign you for the rest of the season.\u2019 I want to be a part of this organization.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u2014 Ben Geffner (@BenGeffner) August 4, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n Playing under Roberts at Utah for her final two collegiate seasons, Pili earned two-time All-Pac-12 honors and was named the Pac-12 Player of the Year in 2023. She thrived in Roberts\u2019 system, becoming the fastest Ute to score 1,000 career points while averaging a team-high 21.4 points per contest her senior year.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m excited to have her. She\u2019s just a great human being and a great fit for our locker room,\u201d Roberts said<\/a>. \u201cFor us, it was an opportunity to bring her in and see how she fits \u2026 I know what she\u2019s capable of, I know how to use her \u2014\u00a0she\u2019s stronger than anybody.\u201d<\/p>\n Still, Pili was nervous.\u00a0<\/p>\n Familiarity aside, signing a non-guaranteed, midseason contract with a WNBA team presented its own challenges. Pili was tasked with joining a red-hot Sparks\u2019 squad \u2014\u00a0one that was\u00a0fully healthy for the first time all season and boasted a stacked frontcourt following the recent return of forward Cameron Brink.<\/p>\n Read more:\u00a0Sparks’ Cameron Brink Shares Unique Approach to Injury Recovery<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cAt this point of the season, it\u2019s tough because [teams] have rotations and everything\u2019s already ongoing,\u201d Pili said. \u201c[But] I\u2019m just grateful for the opportunity \u2026 To be reunited with Lynne [Roberts], it\u2019s like a full circle moment.\u201d<\/p>\n The unpredictability was cause for initial stress, Pili said. But then everything clicked.<\/p>\n Pili\u2019s first practice with the Sparks came on Aug. 4, just hours after arriving in Los Angeles the night prior, according to Roberts<\/a>.<\/p>\n Brink \u2014\u00a0a former Stanford star, Pac-12 rival and now-teammate \u2014 was among the first to welcome her once entering the practice facility. Having a familiar face present alongside Roberts helped Pili get accustomed to L.A.\u2019s family-oriented environment, she said.<\/p>\n Soon after introductions were made, Pili impressed in half-court set drills. Already acquainted with Roberts\u2019 designed offense, the 5-foot-11 forward powered into the paint for a strong layup \u2014\u00a0leaving her practice-player defender stunned on the baseline.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s been really fun to be challenged and put in an environment right away where everything\u2019s hectic,\u201d Pili said. \u201cJust being back in [Roberts\u2019] system, it really helps.\u201d<\/p>\n On Saturday, less than a day before Pili\u2019s seven-day contract expired, the second-year forward was packing for L.A.\u2019s road trip to San Francisco when she received word that the Sparks had re-signed her to a second week-long deal.\u00a0<\/p>\n Pili\u2019s sole in-game appearance for the purple and gold thus far came later that night against the Golden State Valkyries.\u00a0<\/p>\n Despite playing just three minutes, the Anchorage native still found ways to make an impact. She finished 1-for-2 from the free throw line and held a plus-minus of six \u2014 the latter of which matched a team-high.<\/p>\n In just a week\u2019s time, Pili has crafted building blocks for long-term success in the WNBA. She credits her work ethic and overall consistency as driving forces.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is something I want to be a part of long term,\u201d Pili said. \u201cI really love what [L.A. is] about \u2026 it\u2019s very similar to my morals and my values.\u201d<\/p>\n On pace for a career resurgence with the Sparks, Pili takes pride in her culture and stays motivated by inspiring others. She\u2019s the first Alaska Native<\/a> and Polynesian<\/a> to play in the WNBA.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s an amazing accomplishment, just for Polynesians as a whole,\u201d Pili said. \u201cWe don\u2019t really see a lot of Polynesians on the big stage \u2026 so to be somebody like that for younger Polynesian girls, boys, for my siblings, for my younger cousins \u2014\u00a0it\u2019s really big for me.\u201d<\/p>\n More Sparks news:<\/p>\n A’ja Wilson Speaks Out on Losing Kelsey Plum to Sparks<\/a><\/p>\n Sparks\u2019 Kelsey Plum Makes Major Announcement<\/a><\/p>\n Sparks’ Kelsey Plum, Rickea Jackson Break Records in Win Over Sun<\/a><\/p>\n Candace Parker’s Sparks’ Jersey Officially Retired in Heartfelt Ceremony<\/a><\/p>\n Sparks’ Rickea Jackson Shines With Career-High Night in Dominant Win Over Aces<\/a><\/p>\n For more news and notes on the Los Angeles Sparks, visit\u00a0Los Angeles Sparks on SI.<\/a><\/p>\n