About four hours before the Los Angeles Sparks tipped off on Saturday against the New York Liberty, the squad announced the signing of forward Queen Egbo to a hardship contract. The Sparks are still reeling from Cameron Brink’s season-ending injury, are still missing Azura Stevens due to arm surgery, and were without Lexie Brown because of an illness.
And so, Egbo – a Baylor product who made the WNBA All-Rookie team back in 2022 – stepped in. She was a free agent after being waived by the Connecticut Sun earlier this month.
But according to the Associated Press, Egbo arrived in New York for the Sparks’ matchup with the Liberty late last night, and the Sparks didn’t have enough time to make her a jersey.
What they did have was some white tape, and Karlie Samuelson’s old No. 44 jersey from last season. Samuelson now plays with the Washington Mystics.
And that is how Egbo entered the game and made her debut with the Sparks – as if she were a player added to an AAU roster mid-tournament, or a JV player called up to varsity just before tip-off.
White tape over the nameplate on Egbo’s jersey today https://t.co/jQvmpbPlhs pic.twitter.com/2CgjxwXGnE
— Ben Pickman (@benpickman) June 22, 2024
Of course, WNBA fans noticed and made some jokes of their own.
Not the Sparks taping Queen's jersey up like they in a AAU circuit.
— Devona (@CoachhDee) June 22, 2024
queen egbo first sparks bucket in karlie samuelson's old jersey kinda crazy
— WE UP SKY rights ミ☆ (@meanlezbians) June 22, 2024
Queen Egbo signed at midnight and now they’re already putting her to work
Jersey doesn’t even have her name on it yet damn
— . (@Nefe_Ig) June 22, 2024
The Sparks lost 98-88 to the Liberty, but Egbo played well in limited action, scoring two points and grabbing two boards in three minutes.
