Grubin was the first player selected and Bjedov was the 15th choice.

"We're definitely going to miss Gordana and Nina," Sparks coach Michael Cooper said. "They did a lot of great things for us. We're still headed in the right direction. With a couple of pieces we need to add to this puzzle, we will still be a successful team, a championship team."

After missing training camp because of her commitment to Yugoslavia's national team, Grubin became a starter midway through last season and averaged 8.9 points per game. She was fifth in the league in 3-point shooting percentage.

The 6-foot-6 Bjedov, another Yugoslavian national team member, backed up starting center Lisa Leslie and averaged 4.5 points.

Cooper said he expects Ukari Figgs to succeed Grubin as the starting point guard. Figgs started the first 10 games before spraining her ankle.

Each of the 12 existing teams were able to protect five players and were permitted to protect three additional players after losing one during the first three rounds of the six-round draft. All 12 existing teams each lost two players.