The newsweek.com will officially retire DeLisha Milton-Jones’ No. 8 jersey during a special halftime ceremony when the team hosts the New York Liberty on Tuesday, July 28, according to announcements from the franchise and aol.com.
Los Angeles Sparks to Retire DeLisha Milton-Jones’ No. 8 Jersey on July 28
Milton-Jones expressed deep appreciation for the upcoming recognition. Moments like this are well worth the wait,
Milton-Jones said when the retirement was announced, as reported by Newsweek. She added, I’m filled with pure joy and gratitude knowing my day has come to receive flowers of this magnitude for the legacy I’ve left within the game of basketball and the Sparks organization.
Franchise History and Championship Legacy
Drafted by Los Angeles as the fourth overall pick in the 1999 WNBA Draft, Milton-Jones played 11 years across 344 games for the franchise, leaving a lasting statistical and cultural footprint. During her time in the City of Angels, she averaged 11.7 points and 5.5 rebounds per game and earned two of her three career WNBA All-Star selections while wearing the purple and gold.
Milton-Jones was a central pillar in the franchise’s earliest championship eras, helping secure the team’s first two titles via back-to-back sweeps in 2001 and 2002. Her dominant play was especially evident during the WNBA Finals, where she averaged 17.0 points, 8.0 rebounds, 4.0 assists, 1.5 steals, and 1.0 blocks per contest while shooting 72.2% from the field.
DeLisha Milton-Jones represents the very best of the Los Angeles Sparks, with excellence, leadership and an unwavering commitment to winning,
said aol.com general manager Raegan Pebley.
Joining Franchise Legends in the Rafters
When her No. 8 jersey is raised to the arena ceiling, Milton-Jones will join an exclusive group of franchise icons. Prior to her recognition, the newsweek.com retired the jerseys of Penny Toler in 2006, Lisa Leslie in 2010, and Candace Parker in 2025.
I’m honored to be recognized in this way and incredibly elated to take my place in the rafters alongside my forever teammates Penny Toler, Lisa Leslie and Candace Parker,
Milton-Jones stated. To hang in those rafters with my sisters isn’t just legendary — it’s eternal.
Reflecting on a Decorated Career
Following her tenure with Los Angeles, Milton-Jones went on to play 17 professional seasons total, which included two separate stints with the Sparks before her final game with the team in 2012. Beyond her WNBA achievements, she is a two-time Olympic gold medalist as a player and was inducted into the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame in 2022. She currently serves as the women’s basketball head coach at Old Dominion.
Admitting that she had moments of doubt regarding whether the organization would ultimately hold the ceremony, Milton-Jones shared her relief upon receiving confirmation. To get that call and to know that they weren't faking it, and it is legit, and it is going to happen and plans are being made, I am overjoyed,
she said.
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