NEW YORK (AP) - The Los Angeles Sparks have beaten the odds to win the top pick in the 2012 WNBA draft.
The Sparks had the smallest chance of the four teams with a shot at winning Thursday’s draft lottery, with only 104 out of 1,000 chances. They are the second team in the 11-year history of the lottery to win with the fewest number of chances. Phoenix did it ahead of the 2007 draft.
Los Angeles also had the top pick in 2008 and selected Tennessee star Candace Parker, who went on to win Rookie of the Year and MVP honors in her first professional season.
The Chicago Sky will pick second, followed by the Minnesota Lynx at No. 3 and the Tulsa Shock _ who had the best chance of winning _ with the fourth pick.
After the first four picks, the remainder of the draft will be ordered based on the 2010 regular season records for each team.
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