The Los Angeles Sparks named Ariana Andonian general manager Sept. 4. She joined the organization after working with the Philadelphia 76ers and their Delaware Blue Coats affiliate. The appointment placed her in charge of Sparks basketball operations.
The experience and responsibilities
Andonian served as the Blue Coats’ general manager and the 76ers’ vice president of player personnel. Her earlier experience included work with the Houston Rockets and Memphis Grizzlies. She is a California native and a University of Southern California graduate.
The Sparks outlined responsibilities covering roster construction, player personnel, scouting and long-term strategy. The appointment preceded the club’s Sept. 25 announcement that it had parted ways with coach Lynne Roberts. Those changes affected both the front office and coaching leadership.
CSB Take
Andonian brings experience evaluating players at several professional levels. The challenge is turning that background into decisions suited to the Sparks’ needs. A coherent relationship between personnel choices and coaching will be central to the next stage.
