Sparks Retire Former Gator DeLisha Milton-Jones’ Jersey
Former Gator and Los Angeles Sparks forward DeLisha Milton-Jones received recognition for her time in the WNBA.
The Sparks retired her jersey in a ceremony during halftime of their game against the Liberty at Crypto.com Arena. The two-time WNBA champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist was excited to see her jersey unveiled in the rafters.
“I’m super elated to be in this moment, to be alive, to receive flowers of this magnitude,” Milton-Jones said. “Just an amazing feeling to have.”
She looks back at her time with the Sparks with fond memories. Milton-Jones was initially drafted fourth overall in 1999. During her six years in L.A., she helped the team win two back-to-back championships in 2001 and 2002.
Due to her performance, she earned the nickname “D-Nasty” from her former coach Michael Cooper. Milton-Jones finds this endearing, especially since it heavily contrasts her personality off-court, who she calls “Sunshine.”
“‘Sunshine’ is full of love and consideration. She is very empathetic,” Milton-Jones said. “‘D-Nasty?’ That’s my alter ego. I had to have someone to counterbalance who Sunshine was because I could not bring ‘Sunshine’ on the court or I wouldn’t be sitting here today.”
In addition to her career with the Sparks, Milton-Jones wore many hats within the basketball realm. She played a stint overseas where she won the Euroleague Championship with a team in Russia, winning the championship again three years later with a team in the Czech Republic.
Milton-Jones also played for the Portland Power in the ABL before getting drafted in the WNBA. During the 2001 WNBA Finals, she averaged 17 points, eight rebounds and four assists. She attributes a lot of her skill to her strength as a woman.
“Women, in general, we are the type of people that if you give us a house, we make it a home,” Milton-Jones said. “You give us a league, we can have something that can be an amazing lasting legacy.”
A former Gator, Milton-Jones played for Florida from 1993 until 1997.
She aided the team in appearing in four NCAA tournaments. During her tenure, she received numerous awards and distinctions, including but not limited to: SEC Player of the Year (1997), SEC All-Freshman Team (1994), two-time First-Team All-SEC (1996, 1997), Honda Sports Award (1997), and the Wade Trophy (1997).
Milton-Jones was an integral part of Gators women’s basketball and was inducted into the University of Florida Athletic Hall of Fame in 2007 as a “Gator Great.” Inspiring many, she gave advice to new players who looked up to her.
“Just put your head down and grind,” Milton-Jones said. “The work will take care of itself even if it may have to come later.”
DeLisha Milton-Jones had a long and eventful career full of honors, victories and lessons. Despite changes and different paths she took in her career, Milton-Jones has always remained loyal to her team.
“The Sparks is a name that will remain, and there are standards attached to being able to call yourself a Spark,” Milton-Jones said. “I’m so pleased and honored to be able to be one.”
Category: Former Gators, Gator Sports, Gators Women's Basketball, WNBA
