LOS ANGELES -- The two-time defending WNBA champion Los Angeles sparks have waived guard Rosalind Ross, their first-round draft choice last year, and free-agent rookie forward Naomi Mobley.

A former Oklahoma standout, Ross never played for the Sparks, undergoing surgery before the start of last season to correct knee problems dating to her junior year of high school.

The Sparks knew Ross' knee problems could sideline her for the entire 2002 season when they drafted her, but still picked her with the 16th and final choice in the first round because she was expected to contribute in the future, coach Michael Cooper said last year.

The waiving of Ross means none of the Sparks' last three first-round draft choices played a game for them.

Monday's cuts reduce the Sparks' roster to 15. They must reach the WNBA regular-season limit of 11 by May 21, three days before their season opener at Connecticut.