Posts by David Mendez-Yapkowitz

David has been with The Next team since the High Post Hoops days when he joined the staff in 2018. He is based in Los Angeles and covers the LA Sparks, Pac-12 Conference, Big West Conference and some high school as well.

Members of the Los Angeles Sparks huddle together. They are wearing their team uniforms.

Los Angeles Sparks use lottery luck to move up to No. 2

December 11, 2023

Los Angeles has the chance to grab a foundational player in the 2024 WNBA Draft

Dearica Hamby, wearing purple and yellow Sparks jersey, drives to the basket against Lynx forward Naphessa Collier, wearing white and blue.

Dearica Hamby relishes Olympic opportunity

November 13, 2023

Sparks veteran forward is looking to regain her All-Star form

Hawaii guard Daejah Phillips stands with her hands on her hips during a Big West Conference game.

2023-24 Big West Conference preview

October 29, 2023

The Big West is wide open this season, with three teams receiving first-place votes in the preseason poll

Members of the Los Angeles Sparks huddle together. They are wearing their team uniforms.

What comes next for the Sparks?

September 22, 2023

Sparks head into the offseason with firm goals in mind

Members of the Los Angeles Sparks huddle together. They are wearing their team uniforms.

Sparks’ playoff hopes hanging by a thread as injuries pile up

September 8, 2023

How the Sparks can still reach the postseason, explained

Five Los Angeles Sparks players wrap their arms around each other's waists as they huddle.

Fatigue may be a factor as Los Angeles Sparks continue push for playoffs

September 3, 2023

‘The games are going to keep coming’

Rae Burrell, Los Angeles Sparks

Rae Burrell is making the most of her opportunities this season

August 23, 2023

After a rookie year cut short, the Sparks second-year wing is experiencing life in the WNBA for the first time

Los Angeles Sparks forming physical, tough identity amid playoff push

August 17, 2023

Multiple injuries have forced the Sparks to adopt a tough, gritty identity

Five Los Angeles Sparks players wrap their arms around each other's waists as they huddle.

Sparks inch closer to finding winning combination

August 11, 2023

Amid a season full of injuries, the Sparks may have found something that works

How Layshia Clarendon’s gritty, tough game fits the Sparks

August 3, 2023

‘That’s my style, just to go after people and attack them’