Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury
Conference	Western
Founded	1997
History	Phoenix Mercury (1997–present)
Arena	Talking Stick Resort Arena
City	Phoenix, Arizona
Sponsor	Casino Arizona Talking Stick Resort
Team colors	Purple, White, Orange, Silver
Owner(s)	Robert Sarver
General manager	Jim Pitman
Head coach	Sandy Brondello
Assistant coaches	Todd Troxel Julie Hairgrove
Championships	3 (2007, 2009, 2014)
Conference titles	4 (1998, 2007, 2009, 2014)
Mascot	Scorch
Official website	mercury.wnba.com

The Phoenix Mercury is a professional basketball team based in Phoenix, Arizona, playing in the Western Conference in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). The team was founded before the league's inaugural 1997 season began; it is one of the eight original franchises. The team is owned by Robert Sarver, who also owns the Mercury's NBA counterpart, the Phoenix Suns.

The Mercury has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in ten of its 19 years in Phoenix. The franchise has been home to many high-quality players such as former UConn sharpshooter Diana Taurasi, explosive Rutgers grad Cappie Pondexter, former Temple power forward Candice Dupree, former Baylor standout center Brittney Griner, and Australian guard Penny Taylor. In 1998, 2007, 2009, and 2014, the Mercury went to the WNBA Finals; they lost to Houston in 1998, but won the title in 2007, 2009, and 2014 over Detroit, Indiana, and Chicago respectively.

Franchise history

Mercury heating up (1997–1998)

With a cast that included hall-of-famer Nancy Lieberman, and possible future hall-of-famers Michele Timms of Australia, and Jennifer Gillom, hyper-active star Bridget Pettis, and outspoken coach Cheryl Miller, the Mercury quickly established itself as a major franchise. In the very first WNBA season, the Mercury posted a 16–12 record and reached the first WNBA playoffs. The Mercury lost to the New York Liberty, though, in those playoffs.

In 1998, the Mercury again qualified for the playoffs, posting a 19–11 record. The Mercury defeated the Cleveland Rockers to reach the WNBA Finals for the first time. In a hard fought series, the Mercury fell 2 games to 1 to the defending champion Houston Comets.

Mercury falling (1999–2003)

In 1999, the Mercury missed the playoffs, posting a 15–17 record. In 2000, the Mercury finished 20–12, but got swept by the Los Angeles Sparks. The team descended into turmoil after the season, as coach Miller left and the original core group of players broke up, via retirement or trades, and the team stopped being a playoff contender.

From 2001–2004, the Mercury were at the bottom of the WNBA. Fielding miserable teams, the Mercury were never competitive. The Mercury went through coach after coach, and nothing worked. During the lean years, the franchise remained in the news as forward Lisa Harrison would become a sex symbol. Playboy Magazine offered her money to pose in their magazine. She would decline the offer.

Diana Taurasi joins the WNBA (2004–2005)

After a horrible 2003 season, in which the Mercury posted an 8–26 record, the Mercury won the #1 overall choice in the 2004 WNBA Draft, and select coveted former UConn star Diana Taurasi. Taurasi went on to win the WNBA Rookie of the Year Award in the 2004 season, as the Mercury posted a better 17–17 record. The Mercury posted a 16–18 record in 2005, missing the playoffs again.

Bringing back "Paul Ball" (2006–2007)

Former NBA coach Paul Westhead became the Mercury's head coach prior to the 2006 season and brought his up-tempo style to Phoenix. Westhead was the first WNBA coach to have won a previous NBA championship (1980 LA Lakers). The Mercury also drafted Cappie Pondexter with the #2 overall selection in the 2006 WNBA Draft. The addition provided Taurasi with a solid #2 player. Westhead's run and gun offense quickly became The Mercury's trademark and the franchise would soon set new league records for points scored.

The 2006 season was a positive one for the Mercury, as they posted a winning record for the first time since 2000, at 18–16. The Mercury competed for the playoffs all year, but fell just short of a postseason berth.

As the 2007 season came, the Mercury were poised and hungry for a deep playoff run. The Mercury would run away with the Western Conference, posting their best record in franchise history at 23–11, as well as clinching the #1 seed. The Mercury set a record by averaging 89.0 points in a season during 2007.^[1] In their first playoffs since 2000, the Mercury made quick work of the Seattle Storm in the first round, blowing them out in two games (Game 1: 101–84, Game 2: 95–89). In the Western Finals, the Mercury swept the San Antonio Silver Stars in a closer series (Game 1: 102–100, Game 2: 98–92), advancing to the WNBA Finals for the first time in nine years. In the Finals, the Mercury faced the defending 2006 champions Detroit Shock. The two teams split the first two games in Detroit. Coming back home, the Mercury suffered a letdown in game 3, losing 88–83. Down 2–1, the Mercury had to win game 4 or lose. Game 4 came down to the final seconds, but the Mercury edged out the Shock 77–76, with Cappie Pondexter scoring 26 points, and forced a Game 5 in Detroit. In Game 5, Phoenix won by a score of 108–92.^[1] Penny Taylor scored a game high 30 points in Game 5, and went 18-for-18 from the line.^[1] The Mercury won the series and their first championship with a 108–92 Game 5 victory, becoming the first WNBA team to win a championship on the road. Cappie Pondexter was named the WNBA Finals MVP, and averaged 22.0 points and 5.6 assists in the series.^[1] On November 7, 2007, The Mercury announced the hiring of Corey Gaines as head coach to replace the departing Paul Westhead.

Mercury fall, Mercury rise (2008-2011)

In 2008, the Mercury started slowly and never really found a groove, finishing the season with a disappointing record of 16–18, well out of the playoff picture in a tough Western Conference. The Mercury became the first team in WNBA history with the dubious honor of failing to qualify for the playoffs after winning the WNBA Finals the year before.

However, a year later, the Mercury were back to what they were two years before. The Mercury clinched the top spot in the playoffs along with the number one seed in the Western Conference. The Mercury defeated the 2008 conference champion San Antonio Silver Stars in the first round, winning the very exciting series 2–1 after losing the first game on the road. The Mercury then defeated the Los Angeles Sparks in the conference finals, winning 2–1 in a series that ended Lisa Leslie's career. The Mercury then went on to beat the Indiana Fever 3–2 in the best of 5 series to capture the second title in their franchise history. Diana Taurasi captured the WNBA Finals MVP Award. All-star guard Cappie Pondexter was traded to the New York Liberty amid some controversy in the offseason; All-Star Candice Dupree joined the duo of Taurasi and Penny Taylor as the Mercury looked to repeat in 2010.

It was not easy, however, as the Mercury faced a few bad losing streaks throughout the 2010 season. The team managed to finish 15–19, good for second place in the Western Conference. Phoenix swept San Antonio in the first round of the Playoffs, but lost to the eventual champion Seattle Storm in the conference finals.

After a hectic offseason for Diana Taurasi, most of the Mercury team was rested and ready to play. The team started the 2011 season with a surprising 0–3 record, but flew back into playoff contention, entering the All-Star break with a 10–5 record. Ultimately, they recovered to gain the third seed in the 2011 WNBA Playoffs, and upset the Seattle Storm in the opening round, closing an 18-point deficit to win on Seattle's home floor, allowing the Mercury to reach its third straight conference finals. Unfortunately, for the team, they came up short against the top-seeded Minnesota Lynx, losing in two games.

Brittney Griner arrives, and history is made (2013-Present)

Phoenix Mercury at the White House to honor 2014 Championship

Coming off the 2012 WNBA season in which the Phoenix Mercury franchise finished with the second worst record in the WNBA, a 7-27 mark, Phoenix received the 2013 WNBA draft lottery and secured the top overall pick. Once the 2013 WNBA Draft arrived in April 2013, the Mercury used the top overall pick on two time Women's College Basketball Wooden award winner Brittney Griner. However, the Mercury lost to the Lynx in the Conference round of the playoffs. The following season the Mercury under the guidance of new coach Sandy Brondello went on to set an all time WNBA record for wins in a season, with 29, and breezed through the 2014 playoffs to claim their 3rd WNBA Championship.

On February 3, 2015, Diana Taurasi announced that she would sit out the 2015 WNBA season at the request of her Russian Premier League team, UMMC Ekaterinburg. The team offered Taurasi to pay her more than her WNBA salary to skip the 2015 WNBA season. For the 2014 WNBA season, Taurasi made just under the league maximum of $107,000. But she makes 15 times that - approximately $1.5 million - playing overseas.

Uniform sponsor

In June 2009 the Mercury and WNBA announced a sponsorship agreement with identity theft protection service LifeLock to place that company's logo on their jerseys through the 2013 season, making the Mercury among the first non-soccer franchises in the major leagues of North America to place a company logo on their uniforms.^[2] For the 2014 season and going forward, the Mercury will wear jerseys sponsored by Casino Arizona and Talking Stick Resort.

Season-by-season records

Players

Current roster

Phoenix Mercury roster
Players	Coaches
Pos. # Nat. Name Height Weight DOB From Yrs F 8 Bass, Mistie 6' 3" (1.91m) 189 lb (86kg) 12-02-1983 Duke 8 G 23 Bias, Tiffany 5' 8" (1.73m) 133 lb (60kg) 05-22-1992 Oklahoma State 1 G/F 24 Bonner, DeWanna 6' 4" (1.93m) 143 lb (65kg) 08-21-1987 Auburn 6 F 20 Christon, Shameka 6' 3" (1.91m) 192 lb (87kg) 02-15-1982 Arkansas 10 F 25 Currie, Monique 6' 0" (1.83m) 173 lb (78kg) 02-25-1983 Duke 9 F 4 Dupree, Candice 6' 2" (1.88m) 178 lb (81kg) 08-16-1984 Temple 9 C 22 Francis, Cayla 6' 4" (1.93m) 192 lb (87kg) 05-01-1989 Australia R C 42 Griner, Brittney 6' 9" (2.06m) 205 lb (93kg) 10-18-1990 Baylor 2 G/F 12 Harden, Alex 6' 0" (1.83m) 173 lb (78kg) 05-27-1993 Wichita State R G 5 Mitchell, Leilani 5' 5" (1.65m) 138 lb (63kg) 06-15-1985 Utah 6 G 45 Quinn, Noelle 6' 0" (1.83m) 178 lb (81kg) 01-03-1985 UCLA 8 G 3 Taurasi, Diana 6' 0" (1.83m) 163 lb (74kg) 06-11-1982 Connecticut 10 F 13 Taylor, Penny 6' 1" (1.85m) 165 lb (75kg) 05-24-1981 Australia 13 G 10 Xargay, Marta 5' 11" (1.8m) – 12-20-1990 Spain R East: ATL • CHI • CON • IND • NY • WAS | West: DAL • LA • MIN • PHO • SA • SEA	Head coach Sandy Brondello (Western Sydney) Assistant coaches Julie Hairgrove (Arizona) Todd Troxel (Doane) Athletic trainer Tamara Poole (Cal State-DH) Strength and conditioning coach Pro Advantage Training Legend (C) Team captain (DP) Unsigned draft pick (FA) Free agent (S) Suspended Injured WNBA roster page

Former players

• Kara Braxton (2010–2011)
• Anna DeForge (2003–2005)
• Jennifer Gillom (1997–2002), now an assistant coach with the Connecticut Sun
• Michelle Griffiths (1998–2000)
• Lisa Harrison (1999–2005)
• Tamicha Jackson (2003; 2006)
• Temeka Johnson (2009–2011), now a member of the Los Angeles Sparks
• Nancy Lieberman (1997), now an assistant coach with the Sacramento Kings
• Kelly Mazzante (2007-2009)
• Kelly Miller (2006–2008)
• Bridget Pettis (1997–2001), now an assistant coach with the Tulsa Shock
• Erin Phillips (2014), now a member of the Los Angeles Sparks
• Plenette Pierson (2003–2005), now a member of the Tulsa Shock
• Cappie Pondexter (2006–2009), now a member of the Chicago Sky
• Brandy Reed (1998; 2000-2002)
• Tangela Smith (2007–2010)
• Belinda Snell (2005–2007)
• Maria Stepanova (1998–2001, 2005)
• Michelle Timms (1997–2001)
• Kamila Vodičková (2005–2006)
• Adrian Williams-Strong (2000–2004)
• Le'coe Willingham (2009)

Retired numbers

• Michele Timms #7

Coaches and staff

Owners

• Jerry Colangelo, owner of the Phoenix Suns (1997–2003)
• Robert Sarver, owner of the Phoenix Suns (2004–present)

Head coaches

Phoenix Mercury head coaches

Name Start End Seasons Regular season Playoffs W L PCT G W L PCT G Cheryl Miller January 27, 1997 December 1, 2000 4 70 52 .574 122 3 6 .333 9 Cynthia Cooper January 8, 2001 June 26, 2002 2 19 23 .452 42 0 0 .000 0 Linda Sharp June 26, 2002 end of 2002 1 5 17 .227 22 0 0 .000 0 John Shumate October 23, 2002 end of 2003 1 8 26 .235 34 0 0 .000 0 Carrie Graf April 14, 2004 end of 2005 2 33 35 .485 68 0 0 .000 0 Paul Westhead October 11, 2005 September 18, 2007 2 41 27 .603 68 7 2 .778 9 Corey Gaines November 7, 2007 August 8, 2013[3] 6 90 101 .471 191 11 9 .550 20 Russ Pennell August 8, 2013[3] October 18, 2013 1 9 4 .692 13 2 3 .400 5 Sandy Brondello November 15, 2013 [4] Present 2 49 19 .721 68 9 3 .750 12

General managers

• Cheryl Miller (1997–2000)
• Seth Sulka (2001–2006)
• Ann Meyers-Drysdale (2007–2011)
• Corey Gaines (2012–2013)
• Amber Cox (2013)
• Jason Rowley (2013–present)

Assistant coaches

• Steve Smith (1997)
• Kathy Anderson (1998)
• Carrie Graf (1998–1999, 2001, 2003)
• Howie Landa (1999)
• Tom Lewis (2000)
• Linda Sharp (2000–2002)
• Vonn Read (2000)
• Eric Cooper (2001–2002)
• Gary Kloppenburg (2003)
• Brian Agler (2004)
• Lisa Harrison (2004)
• Cedric Ceballos (2004)
• Michele Timms (2005)
• Bridget Pettis (2006–2011)
• Corey Gaines (2006–2007)
• Earl Cureton (2012–2013)
• Anthony Boone (2013)
• Julie Hairgrove (2005–present)
• Todd Troxel (2014-present)

Hall of Famers

(from Women's Basketball Hall of Fame^[5])

• Ann Meyers-Drysdale, enshrined 1999
• Jennifer Gillom, enshrined 2009
• Nancy Lieberman, enshrined 1996
• Cheryl Miller, enshrined 1995
• Linda Sharp, enshrined 2001
• Michele Timms, enshrined 2008

Statistics

Phoenix Mercury statistics
1990s  Season Individual Team vs Opponents PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG% 1997 J. Gillom (15.7) T. Foster (6.1) M. Timms (5.1) 69.2 vs 65.2 32.9 vs 33.0 .373 vs .413 1998 J. Gillom (20.8) J. Gillom (7.3) M. Timms (5.3) 73.9 vs 67.5 31.4 vs 31.4 .424 vs .434 1999 J. Gillom (15.2) M. Askamp (7.2) M. Timms (5.0) 68.0 vs 68.2 31.3 vs 31.6 .399 vs .415
2000s  Season Individual Team vs Opponents PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG% 2000 B. Reed (19.0) B. Reed (5.8) M. Cleary (3.2) 70.1 vs 65.7 27.9 vs 30.3 .446 vs .423 2001 J. Gillom (12.3) M. Stepanova (6.3) K. Veal (4.3) 64.5 vs 67.8 29.4 vs 32.2 .405 vs .415 2002 J. Gillom (15.3) A. Williams (6.9) G. Grubin (3.3) 65.3 vs 71.6 28.7 vs 31.3 .420 vs .455 2003 A. DeForge (11.9) A. Williams (7.4) T. Jackson (4.3) 61.7 vs 66.8 29.4 vs 32.8 .382 vs .447 2004 D. Taurasi (17.0) P. Taylor (4.8) D. Taurasi (3.9) 67.6 vs 65.7 26.9 vs 30.0 .430 vs .425 2005 D. Taurasi (16.0) K. Vodichkova (7.0) D. Taurasi (4.5) 69.4 vs 69.2 31.2 vs 30.1 .414 vs .429 2006 D. Taurasi (25.3) K. Vodichkova (6.7) D. Taurasi (4.1) 87.1 vs 84.7 33.7 vs 37.7 .443 vs .433 2007 D. Taurasi (19.2) T. Smith (6.5) K. Miller (4.6) 89.0 vs 85.4 33.9 vs 40.9 .439 vs .405 2008 D. Taurasi (24.1) T. Smith (7.0) K. Miller (4.0) 88.5 vs 88.5 36.1 vs 38.2 .430 vs .421 2009 D. Taurasi (20.4) D. Bonner (5.8) C. Pondexter (5.0) 92.8 vs 89.1 35.0 vs 37.8 .460 vs .424
2010s  Season Individual Team vs Opponents PPG RPG APG PPG RPG FG% 2010 D. Taurasi (22.6) C. Dupree (7.6) P. Taylor (5.0) 93.9 vs 93.8 35.7 vs 37.6 .473 vs .455 2011 D. Taurasi (21.6) C. Dupree (8.2) P. Taylor (4.7) 89.0 vs 86.0 35.1 vs 34.2 .461 vs .440 2012 D. Bonner (20.6) K. Thomas (8.0) S. Prahalis (4.5) 74.5 vs 86.7 37.4 vs 36.1 .384 vs .437 2013 D. Taurasi (20.3) C. Dupree (6.4) D. Taurasi (6.2) 79.7 vs 80.3 35.1 vs 34.2 .453 vs .411 2014 D. Taurasi (16.2) B. Griner (8.0) D. Taurasi (5.6) 83.5 vs 74.1 33.7 vs 34.5 .484 vs .409 2015 D. Bonner (15.8) B. Griner (8.1) D. Bonner (3.3) 75.1 vs 72.3 33.4 vs 35.0 .437 vs .396

Media coverage

Currently, some Mercury games are broadcast on Fox Sports Arizona (FS-A), which is a local television station for the state of Arizona. More often than not, NBA TV will pick up the feed from the local broadcast, which is shown nationally. The broadcaster for the Mercury games is Kevin Ray.

All games (excluding blackout games, which are available on ESPN3.com) are broadcast to the WNBA LiveAccess game feeds on the league website. Furthermore, some Mercury games are broadcast nationally on ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. The WNBA has reached an eight-year agreement with ESPN, which will pay right fees to the Mercury, as well as other teams in the league.^[6]

All-time notes

Regular season attendance

• A sellout for a basketball game at Talking Stick Resort Arena is 18,422 (capacity from 1997–2002 was 19,023).

Regular season all-time attendance

Year Average High Low Sellouts Total for year WNBA game average 1997 13,703 (1st) 17,747 10,898 0 191,835 9,669 1998 13,764 (3rd) 14,705 12,522 0 206,467 10,869 1999 12,219 (3rd) 13,483 11,328 0 195,508 10,207 2000 10,130 (5th) 11,390 9,327 0 162,079 9,074 2001 8,558 (9th) 14,117 6,680 0 136,922 9,075 2002 8,749 (8th) 11,347 7,199 0 139,978 9,228 2003 8,501 (7th) 10,203 6,464 0 144,511 8,800 2004 7,638 (8th) 10,493 5,147 0 129,848 8,613 2005 7,303 (9th) 10,503 5,865 0 124,146 8,172 2006 7,496 (7th) 11,661 5,091 0 127,430 7,476 2007 7,711 (9th) 13,569 6,033 0 131,085 7,742 2008 8,522 (5th) 15,499 4,478 0 144,867 7,948 2009 8,523 (4th) 13,582 5,672 0 144,844 8,039 2010 8,982 (4th) 14,772 5,506 0 152,686 7,834 2011 9,167 (3rd) 12,666 6,108 0 155,845 7,954 2012 7,814 (5th) 10,656 5,421 0 132,454 7,452 2013 8,557 (3rd) 13,065 5,972 0 145,466 7,531 2014 9,557 (1st) 12,756 7,845 0 162,464 7,578 2015 9,946 (1st) 12,296 8,319 0 169,077 7,184

Draft picks

• 1997 Elite: Bridget Pettis (7), Nancy Lieberman-Cline (15)
• 1997: Toni Foster (8), Tia Jackson (9), Umeki Webb (24), Monique Ambers (25)
• 1998: Maria Stepanova (8), Andrea Kuklova (18), Brandy Reed (28), Karen Wilkins (38)
• 1999: Edna Campbell (10), Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil (22), Lisa Harrison (34), Amanda Wilson (46)
• 2000: Adrian Williams (21), Tauja Catchings (37), Shantia Owens (53)
• 2001: Kristen Veal (13), Ilona Korstine (29), Tere Williams (45), Carolyn Moos (53), Megan Franza (61)
• 2002: Tootie Shaw (25), Kayte Christensen (40), Amba Kongolo (56)
• 2003 Miami/Portland Dispersal Draft: Tamicha Jackson (4)
• 2003: Plenette Pierson (4), Petra Ujhelyi (16), Telisha Quarles (31), Marion Jones (33)
• 2004 Cleveland Dispersal Draft: Penny Taylor (1)
• 2004: Diana Taurasi (1), Chandi Jones (8), Ashley Robinson (14), Maria Villarroel (27)
• 2005: Sandora Irvin (3), Angelina Williams (18), Jamie Carey (31)
• 2006: Cappie Pondexter (2), Liz Shimek (18), Mistie Williams (21), Crystal Smith (32)
• 2007 Charlotte Dispersal Draft: selection waived
• 2007: Lindsey Harding (1), Tyresa Smith (18), Leah Rush (28), Chrissy Givens (31), Emily Westerbeg (37)
• 2008: LaToya Pringle (13), Leilani Mitchell (25), Merscilla Packer (41)
• 2009 Houston Dispersal Draft: Sequoia Holmes (5)
• 2009: DeWanna Bonner (5), Sha Brooks (31), Jessica Adair (34)
• 2010 Sacramento Dispersal Draft: selection waived
• 2010: Tyra Grant (24), Nyeshia Stevenson (36)
• 2011: Brittany Spears (19), Tahnee Robinson (31)
• 2012: Samantha Prahalis (6), C'eria Ricketts (24), Christine Flores (30), Amanda Johnson (33)
• 2013: Brittney Griner (1), Nikki Greene (26)
• 2014: Tiffany Bias (17), Maggie Lucas (21), Stephanie Talbot (33)
• 2015: Isabelle Harrison (12), Alex Harden (18), Žofia Hruščáková (24), Promise Amukamara (36)

Trades

• July 31, 1997: The Mercury acquired Mikiko Hagiwara from the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for future considerations.
• July 6, 1998: The Mercury traded Pauline Jordan to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for Tiffani Johnson.
• October 27, 1999: The Mercury traded Marlies Askamp, Angela Aycock and Kristi Harrower to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Adia Barnes, Tonya Edwards and Trisha Fallon.
• February 18, 2000: The Mercury acquired Brandy Reed from the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the fifth pick in the 2000 Draft.
• April 25, 2000: The Mercury traded Shantia Owens to the Miami Sol in exchange for a fourth-round pick in the 2001 Draft.
• May 27, 2001: The Mercury acquired Jaynetta Saunders from the Cleveland Rockers in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• June 22, 2001: The Mercury traded Tonya Edwards to the Charlotte Sting in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2002 Draft.
• March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded the eighth pick in the 2002 Draft to the Cleveland Rockers in exchange for Pollyana Johns-Kimborough.
• March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded the 15th pick in the 2002 Draft to the Miami Sol in exchange for Tracy Reid and the 13th pick in the 2002 Draft.
• March 4, 2002: The Mercury traded Bridget Pettis and the 13th pick in the 2002 Draft to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Gordana Grubin.
• May 3, 2002: The Mercury traded a fourth-round pick in the 2003 Draft to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Claudia das Neves.
• May 5, 2002: The Mercury traded Claudia das Neves to the Miami Sol in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2003 Draft.
• April 28, 2003: The Mercury traded Petra Ujhelyi and Telisha Quarles to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Edwina Brown and Lenae Williams.
• July 31, 2003: The Mercury traded Stacey Thomas to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Tamara Moore.
• June 29, 2005: The Mercury traded Plenette Pierson to the Detroit Shock in exchange for Andrea Stinson and a second-round pick in the 2006 Draft.
• February 21, 2007: The Mercury traded Sandora Irvin to the San Antonio Silver Stars in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2008 Draft.
• April 2, 2007: The Mercury traded a second-round pick in the 2008 Draft to the New York Liberty in exchange for Kelly Schumacher.
• April 4, 2007: The Mercury traded Lindsey Harding to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Tangela Smith.
• May 7, 2008: The Mercury traded Leilani Mitchell to the New York Liberty in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2009 Draft.
• January 30, 2009: The Mercury traded Kelly Miller and LaToya Pringle to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Nicole Ohlde.
• March 20, 2009: The Mercury traded Barbara Farris to the Sacramento Monarchs in exchange for A'Quonesia Franklin and Kim Smith.
• March 26, 2009: The Mercury traded a first-round pick in the 2010 Draft to the Los Angeles Sparks in exchange for Temeka Johnson.
• March 30, 2010: The Mercury traded Cappie Pondexter and Kelly Mazzante to the New York Liberty and received Candice Dupree from the Chicago Sky. Chicago received Shameka Christon and Cathrine Kraayeveld from New York as part of this trade.
• July 23, 2010: The Mercury traded Nicole Ohlde and a first-round pick in the 2011 Draft in exchange for Kara Braxton.
• April 11, 2011: The Mercury traded Tahnee Robinson to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for a third-round pick in the 2012 Draft.
• August 4, 2011: The Mercury traded Kara Braxton to the New York Liberty in exchange for Sidney Spencer.
• January 12, 2012: The Mercury traded Temeka Johnson to the Tulsa Shock in exchange for Andrea Riley.
• February 2, 2012: The Mercury traded a second-round pick in the 2013 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Alexis Hornbuckle.
• February 28, 2012: The Mercury traded the 18th pick in the 2012 Draft to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for Charde Houston and the 24th pick in the 2012 Draft.
• March 11, 2014: The Mercury traded Lynetta Kizer to the Indiana Fever in exchange for Erin Phillips.
• March 27, 2014: The Mercury traded Charde Houston to the Seattle Storm in exchange for Ewelina Kobryn.
• May 12, 2014: The Mercury traded Maggie Lucas to the Indiana Fever in exchange for a second-round pick in the 2015 Draft.

All-Stars

• 1997: No All-Star Game
• 1998: No All-Star Game
• 1999: Michelle Timms
• 2000: Brandy Reed
• 2001: None
• 2002: None
• 2003: Adrian Williams
• 2004: Anna DeForge, Diana Taurasi
• 2005: Diana Taurasi
• 2006: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi
• 2007: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
• 2008: No All-Star Game
• 2009: Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi
• 2010: Candice Dupree, Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
• 2011: Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor
• 2012: No All-Star Game
• 2013: Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
• 2014: Candice Dupree, Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi
• 2015: DeWanna Bonner, Candice Dupree, Brittney Griner
• 2016: No All-Star Game

Olympians

• 2004: Diana Taurasi, Penny Taylor (AUS)
• 2008: Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter
• 2012: Diana Taurasi

Honors and awards

• 1997 All-WNBA Second Team: Jennifer Gillom
• 1998 All-WNBA First Team: Jennifer Gillom
• 2002 Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award: Jennifer Gillom
• 2004 Rookie of the Year: Diana Taurasi
• 2004 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2005 All-WNBA Second Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2006 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2006 All-Rookie Team: Cappie Pondexter
• 2006 Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
• 2007 Finals MVP: Cappie Pondexter
• 2007 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2007 All-WNBA First Team: Penny Taylor
• 2008 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2008 Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
• 2009 Most Valuable Player: Diana Taurasi
• 2009 Finals MVP: Diana Taurasi
• 2009 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2009 All-WNBA First Team: Cappie Pondexter
• 2009 All-Rookie Team: DeWanna Bonner
• 2009 Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
• 2009 Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
• 2010 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2010 Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
• 2010 Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
• 2011 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2011 All-WNBA Second Team: Penny Taylor
• 2011 Sixth Woman of the Year: DeWanna Bonner
• 2011 Peak Performer (Scoring): Diana Taurasi
• 2012 All-Rookie Team: Samantha Prahalis
• 2013 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2013 All-Rookie Team: Brittney Griner
• 2014 Finals MVP: Diana Taurasi
• 2014 Defensive Player of the Year: Brittney Griner
• 2014 Peak Performer (Assists): Diana Taurasi
• 2014 Coach of the Year: Sandy Brondello
• 2014 All-WNBA First Team: Brittney Griner
• 2014 All-WNBA First Team: Diana Taurasi
• 2014 All-Defensive First Team: Brittney Griner
• 2015 Defensive Player of the Year: Brittney Griner
• 2015 All-Defensive First Team: Brittney Griner
• 2015 All-Defensive Second Team: DeWanna Bonner
• 2015 All-WNBA First Team: DeWanna Bonner
• 2015 All-WNBA Second Team: Brittney Griner

References

1. Sports Illustrated, September 24, 2007, p. 67
2. "MERCURY: Mercury, LifeLock Break New Ground with Partnership". Wnba.com. Retrieved 2013-03-22.
3. Negley, Cassandra (August 8, 2013). "Phoenix Mercury fire Corey Gaines, hire Russ Pennell as interim coach". Arizona Republic.
4. Mercury Names Sandy Brondello Head Coach
5. "Women's Basketball Hall of Fame Inductees". Women's Basketball Hall of Fame. Retrieved December 18, 2014.
6. "WNBA Extends TV Rights Deal with ESPN and ABC". Sports Business. June 18, 2007. Retrieved 2009-08-04.

External links

• Phoenix Mercury Official Website
• Gaines announced as Head Coach of the Mercury
• Phoenix Mercury coverage from The Arizona Republic/azcentral.com