The Los Angeles Sparks are seeking a Data Scientist to help elevate the team’s competitive decision-making through statistical modeling, automated reporting, and data-driven insights. This role works closely with coaches, scouts, performance staff, and front-office leadership to deliver actionable analysis that supports coaching, player evaluation, roster construction, and player development. The ideal candidate is a strong quantitative thinker with basketball domain knowledge, experience working with complex datasets, and the ability to turn data into clear, impactful insights used in realistic basketball solutions. This position reports to the Assistant General Manager, Research & Development.
PRINICIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Applied Basketball Analytics
- Develop predictive models to support player evaluation, lineup optimization, scouting, in-game strategy, and roster management
- Analyze player tracking data, play-by-play, and event-level datasets to uncover performance trends and competitive advantages
- Design analytical reports, visualizations, and tools used by coaches, scouts, and front-office staff
Modeling & Statistical Research
- Build and validate models for player evaluation, player development, skill-specific growth, and opponent scouting
- Conduct research on new basketball metrics and methodologies that enhance internal evaluations
- Maintain reproducible research workflows and documentation
Data Integration & Engineering Collaboration
- Partner with the Data Engineering team to define data needs, improve infrastructure, and ensure reliable, well-structured datasets for analytics
- Build features, transformations, and metrics for use in models and internal reports
- Integrate league providers (Second Spectrum, Synergy, etc.) into an internal data synthesis and reporting structure
Cross-Functional Impact
- Prepare clear, concise explanations of analytical findings for scouts, leadership, and coaches
- Support the main decision-making periods needed throughout the season (Free Agency, Draft, and Staffing)
- Work collaboratively across Basketball Operations to create a data-driven environment
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
- Ability to translate complex data into clear, accessible insights for non-technical audiences
- Passion for basketball analytics and familiarity with modern metrics and concepts
- Ability to work flexible hours during the WNBA season including evenings, weekends and holidays
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
Education & Certification
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Statistics, Data Science, Mathematics, Computer Science, or related quantitative field preferred.
Experience
- 2+ years of professional experience in data science or related fields
● Strong proficiency in R or Python and SQL.
● Experience building statistical or machine learning models on real-world datasets.
● Experience building data viz (ggplot2, grobblR, Plotly, Shiny, Dash, etc.)
Preferred
- Experience with basketball-specific data sources such as tracking data, video logs, or advanced play-by-play
- Familiarity with cloud analytics environments (AWS, GCP, or Azure)
- Knowledge of Bayesian modeling, optimization techniques, or time-series forecasting
- Prior experience working in professional or collegiate sports analytics
Compensation commensurate with experience; minimum starting salary $100,000
This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee in this position. It is not intended to give all the details or a step-by-step account of the way each procedure or task is performed. The incumbent is expected to perform other duties necessary for the effective operation of the department.
We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital or veteran status, or any other protected class.
We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform critical job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
