Basketball brought Brandi Davis, Andrea Bills and Edniesha Curry together at Oregon, and once again, the sport has drawn the trio together as professional athletes.
The three California natives, who each went undrafted in separate WNBA drafts, have come together for an opportunity to join their hometown Los Angeles Sparks.
Davis was one of 24 players vying for 13 roster spots when training camp opened May 23. Included on that list are Oregon graduates Bills and Curry. Bills’ agent, Trisonya Abraham, is also representing Davis.
Five months ago, when Davis was stuck on Oregon’s bench, this opportunity appeared unlikely.
“She went to the Rec Center after practice and after games if she didn’t play,” teammate and close friend Cicely Oaks said. “She’d still go and play. She didn’t let it stop her – the fact she didn’t get a lot of minutes.”
Davis’ playing increased in Pacific-10 Conference play when Oregon struggled and coach Bev Smith juggled the lineup. Meanwhile, Davis’ play improved in practices, and by the end of Oregon’s 14-15 season, she averaged 7.1 points and 2.1 rebounds. The long-distance specialist made 41 three-pointers – second behind Chelsea Wagner – on 38 percent shooting.
Davis said by telephone from Los Angeles that the odds are she’ll need to start her career overseas, and she’s fine with that.
“Not making it now is not the end of the world for me,” she said. “There are still other options. I go into it looking at it as a good experience to try get better.”
“Even the second time may come around and that may not work out,” Davis said, “but I’m pretty sure I’ll find a home somewhere.”
Like Davis, Bills went the undrafted route in spring 2005. She chose to continue her career abroad, most recently with a stint in China.
She returned to California in January and has spent the last three months working out and staying ready.
Her time in China and her training camp experience with the Charlotte Sting last year helped prepare Bills for the physical contact and higher level of play, Bills said. Bills said she’s also prepared to play overseas again if she doesn’t make the Sparks’ roster.
Davis and Bills are participating in two practices daily at the Toyota Sports Center, but Bills said Curry has an anterior cruciate ligament tear and has not been at practices.
Smith coached Curry in her first season in charge and described her as a lightning-quick guard whose ball-handling skills are well-suited for the WNBA.
“She’s like the Energizer Bunny out there,” Smith said.
The Sparks made one cut last weekend and more Tuesday morning following a scrimmage Monday night. As of deadline, information on possible cuts was unavailable.
Los Angeles had a down season last year, struggling to a 17-17 record. The Sparks started the season 13-16, then head coach Henry Bibby stepped down and Joe Bryant, father of Lakers star Kobe Bryant, took over. He led them to a 4-1 finish and a playoff berth.
Los Angeles rewarded Bryant with a two-year contract this summer, but he didn’t join training camp until Monday after coaching the Tokyo Apache men’s team in Japan.
In his absence, assistant coaches Michael Abraham and Margaret Mohr led practices.
Two veterans, Doneeka Hodges and Mwadi Mabika, joined the free agents in early workouts and the No. 5 draft pick, ex-UCLA guard Lisa Willis, joined the team last week. Former WNBA MVP Lisa Leslie is complimented by forward Chamique Holdsclaw and recently acquired point guard Temeka Johnson.
Power forward Leslie, 34, is entering her 10th season in the league after averaging 15.2 points per game last year – the lowest average in her WNBA career. The low post is Leslie’s expertise and Bills’ specialty.
“Of course, I’m not going to take her spot, but if anything comes up and she would need a backup, I would hope to be that person,” Bills said.
Oregon coach Smith talked to Bills prior to training camp about focusing on what she can control.
“She’s lost some weight and she’s got great hands,” Smith said. “She’s ready for the next step and I think this is a great one for her.”
Two years ago at Oregon, Bills averaged 11.5 points and seven rebounds per game.
For all three players, trying out for the Sparks comes close to home.
Davis is from La Habra, Bills is from Moreno Valley and Curry is from Palmdale, Calif. Davis witnessed the Sparks inaugural game, a 67-57 loss to New York, at the Forum.

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