Having cleared waivers since her release from the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday, the next destination for Alissa Pili remains a mystery.
The 8th overall pick in the 2024 WNBA draft is now free to sign with any team as of Tuesday, with one potential destination raising an eyebrow.
Lynne Roberts, the current head coach of the Los Angeles Sparks and Pili’s former coach at Utah, was asked about a potential reunion between her and the Alaska star she helped become Pac-12 Player of the year at a recent press conference.
“I love her like a kid of my own,” Roberts said. “I don’t know what we’re going to do. She’ll end up somewhere and maybe someday I’ll get to coach her again.”
“She’s a hell of a player. She’ll land on her feet.”
Roberts was the head coach for the Utah Utes Women’s basketball team from 2015 to 2024. She was named the head coach of the Sparks a month after Pili wrapped up her rookie campaign in Minnesota.
Under Roberts leadership, Pili led the Pac-12 in scoring and shooting percentage in 2023. She was also a two-time All-American selection, helping the Utes to a pair of NCAA tournament appearances.
Roberts added she is not sure if a reunion with Pili is inevitable, saying she will leave that decision to General Manager Raegan Pebley.
