WNBA veteran Penicheiro signs with Sparks

Feb 9, 2010 - 8:28 PM LOS ANGELES(AP) -- The Sparks have signed WNBA veteran Ticha Penicheiro, who helped lead the Sacramento Monarchs to the championship in 2005.

The Sparks announced the deal Tuesday.

Penicheiro had spent her entire 12-year career with the rival Monarchs, where she averaged 6.4 points, 5.9 assists, 3.4 rebounds and 1.9 steals.

The Monarchs reached the playoffs in nine of her 12 seasons with them.

Penicheiro is a four-time All-Star and the WNBA's career leader in assists (2,178) and steals (685). She joins a Los Angeles roster that includes Olympians Candace Parker, Tina Thompson and DeLisha Milton-Jones.