Sparks Hire Sixers Exec Andonian as GM — SkimNews
Get the Sports newsletter
Daily sports — scores, transfers, the storylines from the leagues you actually follow. Free.
- Ariana Andonian was named Sparks GM on Friday, becoming the franchise's sixth general manager since its 1997 debut, with most of that turnover concentrated in the past seven years since Penny Toler's 2019 firing.
- Andonian previously served as GM and VP of player personnel for the Delaware Blue Coats, the Sixers' G League affiliate, and replaces Raegan Pebley, who was fired July 12; assistant GMs Zach Knowlton and Nate Nielsen had run the role on an interim basis.
- Andonian's résumé includes four seasons in basketball operations and scouting with the Houston Rockets starting in 2015, a Duke MBA, work with Mike Krzyzewski and Jon Scheyer on the Duke men's basketball staff, and four years leading high school and international scouting for the Memphis Grizzlies before joining the 76ers in 2024.
- The Sparks are 15-25 at the FIBA World Cup break and will miss the playoffs for the sixth straight season, with veteran Nneka Ogwumike retiring after this year and guard Kelsey Plum traded to Phoenix in August ahead of free agency.
- Andonian will also decide the future of coach Lynne Roberts, who is finishing her second season in Los Angeles, and will oversee roster construction, scouting and strategy.
Why it matters: The Sparks are handing the keys to a 15-25 team missing the playoffs for the sixth straight year to a first-time WNBA GM whose top experience was running a G League affiliate, while she also decides whether coach Lynne Roberts returns — a reset that will define the post-Nneka Ogwumike era.
Ask SkimNews
