Mike Neighbors moves to WNBA after resigning from Arkansas

LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Sparks announced on March 26 that Mike Neighbors will serve as an assistant coach on the WNBA team.

“Becoming a part of the Los Angeles Sparks is my childhood dream realized,” Neighbors said. “During my 31 years as a women’s coach, the growth of the game and the league has been miraculous to experience.

Neighbors, a Greenwood native and U of A alumnus, resigned from his position as the Arkansas women’s head basketball coach on March 11 after finishing his eighth season with the Razorbacks. Hired ahead of the 2017-18 season, Neighbors boasted a 148-114 record while at Arkansas. He led the team to a pair of NCAA Tournament appearances and two trips to the WNIT during his time in the role. 

Before that, he was the head coach at the University of Washington for four years, where he boasted a career record of 246-155. 

Now, he will take on a brand-new role in the Women’s National Basketball Association with the LA Sparks. 

“We’ve been intentional in our hiring, seeking a combination of innovation and experience in all our basketball staff members,” LA Sparks head coach Lynne Roberts said. “With Mike Neighbors, we have achieved both. Mike is extremely experienced, well-respected in the basketball world and has been successful as a head coach and assistant coach. He is smart, creative and hardworking, and we can’t wait for him to join us.”