Five-time NBA champion and former head coach of the New York Knicks, Derek Fisher, has found a new head coaching position with the WNBA's Los Angeles Sparks. According to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, Fisher will officially be introduced at a press conference on Friday afternoon in Los Angeles.
(Alana Beard, Odyssey Sims, Candace Parker, Chelsea Gray: Photo by Andy King/Getty Images)
"I'm excited to be the new head coach of the LA Sparks," Fisher said in a statement, per ESPN. "There is no finer organization in the WNBA and I can't wait to work with our ownership group, front office, talented players and staff to cement a culture of sustained excellence, which is what LA basketball fans demand -- and deserve."
The Sparks, led by two-time WNBA MVP Candace Parker, went 19-15 in the 2018 season and lost to the Washington Mystics in the second round of the playoffs.
"Derek is a great basketball mind who brings a ton of high-level experience to our team," says Candace Parker, according to ESPN. "I look forward to working with someone with championship pedigree and who has a track record of strong leadership. Derek has been a strong supporter of women's basketball for quite some time, so it's nice to officially welcome him."
(Photo by Andy King/Getty Images)
Fisher, 44, has not coached at any level since the 2015-16 NBA season. He went 17-65 in his first year as head coach of the Knicks and was fired the following season after the team's 23-31 record. He replaces Brian Agler, who resigned last month after four seasons as head coach of the Sparks, including a WNBA Championship in 2016.
