LOS ANGELES -- The defending WNBA champion Sparks received yet another jolt Friday when center Rhonda Mapp became the first player dismissed from the league for violating its anti-drug program.

Mapp, who was in her sixth season, cannot apply for reinstatement for at least two years, according to league rules.

Under the league's collective bargaining agreement, players can be dismissed for testing positive for a controlled substance other than marijuana, as well as pleas of guilty or no contest or a conviction involving a controlled substance.

``We wish the best for Rhonda and her career,'' the Sparks said in a statement. ``Despite this unfortunate incident, we are still very proud of the positive contributions our players have made to the Los Angeles community and look forward to continuing in that tradition.''

Coach Michael Cooper was said to be unavailable for comment. The WNBA, which formed in 1996, released a two-paragraph statement announcing the dismissal and had no other comment.

Mapp wasn't with the team for its 88-65 victory over the Minnesota Lynx on Thursday night, when the Sparks clinched a share of their fourth consecutive Western Conference title.

They host San Antonio on Saturday night, then conclude the regular season against Houston on Monday night. The playoffs begin Aug. 28.

This season, Los Angeles endured injuries to All-Stars Lisa Leslie and DeLisha Milton, and waived Latasha Byears in June, reportedly amid a probe into an alleged sexual assault on a former teammate.

The Sparks were 4-7 during Leslie's 11-game absence after she bruised her right knee in the WNBA All-Star game. She returned Aug. 14 after spending four weeks on the injured list. Milton also missed games with a left ankle injury.

``When we're all together we can compete and win, but when pieces are missing its tough,'' Leslie said last week.

The 6-foot-2, 190-pound Mapp provided a physical presence under the basket, helping the Sparks win the WNBA championship in 2001.

She missed last season, when they repeated as champions, because of unspecified personal reasons.

She averaged 2.6 points and 2.8 rebounds in 24 games for the Sparks this season. Mapp made four starts, including three to replace Leslie.

Mapp, 33, attended North Carolina State before playing her first four WNBA seasons with the Charlotte Sting. She was traded to Los Angeles in 2001.

Before the season began, the Sparks added 2001 WNBA rookie of the year Jackie Stiles to their team. But she couldn't play this season after surgery to correct bursitis in her right heel.