Catchings Stays with Fever, Beard Signs with Los Angeles

Reigning WNBA Most Valuable Player Tamika Catchings is staying put with the Indiana Fever after signing a new deal, while veteran guard Alana Beard signed with the Los Angeles Sparks.

The 10-year-veteran, Catchings, reportedly inked a free-agent contract deal, but the team declined to disclose the terms of the contract.

The seven-time all-star spent her entire career with Indiana, where she missed her first season due to an injury, but came out strong the following season, winning the Rookie of the Tear award.

Catchings, who averaged 15.5 points and 7.1 rebounds last season when she led the Fever to the Eastern Conference Finals, has also been voted in the five of MVP balloting for four times and is also a four-time Defensive Player of the Year awardee.

Meanwhile, the Los Angeles Sparks, who are aching to improve after a dismal stint last season, added another key piece to their squad after signing Beard to a free-agent contract.

According to Sparks general manager Penny Toler, Beard, who missed the last two WNBA season due to ankle and foot injuries, is highly motivated and is looking to get her old form back, which led to her being named as an all-star for four seasons.

The 5-foot-11 guard, who is currently playing with Elitzur Ramla club in Israel, averaged 16.2 points and 4.2 rebounds in six seasons with the Washington Mystics.