WNBA Draft prospects play start bench cut with Taurasi, Ionescu, Clark
Watch 2025 WNBA Draft prospects decide who to start, bench, or cut among Diana Taurasi, Sabrina Ionescu, and Caitlin Clark.
The Phoenix Mercury did not have any picks in the 2025 WNBA draft.
Phoenix Mercury: Recent top draft picks
Table of Contents
- Phoenix Mercury: Recent top draft picks
- 2025 WNBA draft: Team-by-team picks
- Phoenix Mercury roster
- 2025 Phoenix Mercury schedule
- Phoenix Mercury WNBA Draft Picks Tracker: Round-by-Round Selections
- Why Track the Phoenix Mercury WNBA Draft Picks?
- Phoenix Mercury Draft History: A Round-by-Round Breakdown
- analyzing the Phoenix Mercury’s Draft Strategy
- Notable Phoenix Mercury Draft Success Stories
- Draft Day Trades and Their Impact on the Mercury
- Practical Tips for Aspiring WNBA Players and Scouts
- The Future of Phoenix Mercury Draft Picks
- 2024 (No. 25 overall): Charisma Osborne, guard, UCLA
- 2023 (No. 27 overall): Destiny Harden, forward, Miami (Fla.)
- 2022 (No. 26 overall): Maya Dodson, forward, Notre Dame
- 2021 (No. 32 overall): Ciera Johnson, center, Texas A&M
- 2020 (No. 10 overall): Jocelyn Willoughby, guard/forward, Virginia
2025 WNBA draft: Team-by-team picks
➤ Eastern Conference: Atlanta Dream | Chicago Sky | Connecticut Sun | Indiana Fever | New York Liberty | Washington Mystics
➤ Western Conference: Dallas Wings | Golden State Valkyries | Las Vegas Aces | Los Angeles Sparks | Minnesota Lynx | Phoenix Mercury | Seattle Storm
Phoenix Mercury roster
- Monique Akoa-Makani, guard, Cameroon
- Kalani Brown, center, Baylor
- Kahleah Copper, guard, Rutgers
- Kitija Laksa, guard, South Florida
- Natasha Mack, forward, Oklahoma State
- Murjanatu Musa, center, Nigeria
- Charisma Osborne, guard, UCLA
- Satou Sabally, forward, Oregon
- Celeste Taylor, guard, Ohio State
- Alyssa Thomas, forward, Maryland
- Sevgi Uzun, guard, Turkey
- Sami Whitcomb, guard, Washington
2025 Phoenix Mercury schedule
The Mercury open the 2025 WNBA season against the Seattle Storm on Saturday, May 17 (9 p.m. ET). Here is the Mercury’s complete 2025 schedule.
date: 2025-04-15 01:37:00
Phoenix Mercury WNBA Draft Picks Tracker: Round-by-Round Selections
The Phoenix Mercury, a cornerstone franchise in the Women’s national Basketball Association (WNBA), has a rich history punctuated by strategic draft selections that have shaped their roster and contributed too their championship success. Understanding the Mercury’s draft history provides valuable insight into their team-building philosophy and long-term strategies. This comprehensive tracker offers a detailed, round-by-round breakdown of every Phoenix Mercury WNBA draft pick, offering fans and analysts a treasure trove of information. From foundational picks to hidden gems, explore the players who have worn the Mercury uniform thanks to the WNBA draft.
Why Track the Phoenix Mercury WNBA Draft Picks?
Tracking the Phoenix Mercury’s WNBA draft picks provides several benefits for fans, analysts, and even aspiring players:
- Ancient Perspective: Understand how the Mercury have built their teams over time, identifying patterns in their drafting strategies.
- Player Growth: See which draft picks blossomed into stars and which ones didn’t pan out as was to be expected, providing insights into player development and scouting effectiveness.
- Future Predictions: Analyse past drafts to anticipate future drafting trends and identify potential areas of focus for the Mercury.
- Roster Building: Grasp how the draft contributes to the overall roster construction of the Mercury, complementing free agency and trades.
- Fan Engagement: Deepen your knowledge of the team and its players, enhancing your fan experience.
Phoenix Mercury Draft History: A Round-by-Round Breakdown
Delving into the Phoenix Mercury’s draft history, we’ll categorize the information by year and round, noting the player selected, their position, and the college (or international team) they came from. This section will be continually updated as new drafts occur, solidifying its value as a lasting resource.
Early Drafts: Laying the Foundation (1997-2000)
The initial WNBA drafts were crucial for establishing the league and its teams. The Mercury made some key choices during these years, setting the stage for their future competitiveness.
Draft Recap Example:
| Year | Round | Pick # | Player Name | Position | College/Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1997 | 1 | 2 | michelle Timms | Guard | Australia |
| 1997 | 2 | 12 | Jennifer Gillom | Forward | Ole Miss |
| 1998 | 1 | 2 | Maria Stepanova | Center | Russia |
| 1999 | 1 | 4 | Tauja Catchings | Forward | Illinois |
| 2000 | 1 | 10 | Grace Daley | Guard | Tulane |
The Diana Taurasi Era and Beyond (2004-2010)
The 2004 WNBA Draft marked a turning point for the Phoenix Mercury with the selection of Diana Taurasi. This section analyze the impact of her presence and the draft decisions that supported the championship runs.
Draft Recap Example:
| Year | Round | pick # | Player Name | Position | College/Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 1 | 1 | Diana Taurasi | Guard | UConn |
| 2004 | 2 | 14 | Maria Villarroel | Forward | Venezuela |
| 2005 | 1 | 7 | Sandora irvin | Center | TCU |
| 2006 | 2 | 21 | Kimberly Beck | Guard | George Washington |
| 2007 | 3 | 29 | Kristen bookout | Guard | Nebraska |
| 2008 | 2 | 26 | Ketia Swanier | Guard | UConn |
| 2009 | 2 | 20 | Jessica Davenport | Center | Ohio State |
| 2010 | 1 | 9 | Tangela Smith | Forward | Iowa |
Rebuilding and Sustaining Success (2011-2020)
Even with established stars, the draft remained crucial for the Mercury to maintain competitiveness. This period showcases how they balanced drafting for immediate impact and long-term potential.
Draft Recap Example:
| Year | Round | Pick # | player Name | position | College/Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 3 | 27 | Chastity Reed | Forward | Arkansas-Little Rock |
| 2012 | 1 | 5 | Samantha Prahalis | Guard | Ohio State |
| 2013 | 1 | 8 | Lindsey Harding | Guard | Duke |
| 2014 | 2 | 14 | Chiney Ogwumike | Forward | Stanford |
| 2015 | 3 | 27 | Promise Amukamara | Guard | Arizona State |
| 2016 | 1 | 10 | Sophie Cunningham | Guard/Forward | Missouri |
| 2017 | 2 | 18 | Emma Cannon | Forward | Florida Southern |
| 2018 | 3 | 36 | Sandra Viana | center | South carolina |
| 2019 | 1 | 6 | Alanna Smith | Forward | Stanford |
| 2020 | 2 | 15 | Kia Nurse | Guard | UConn |
Contemporary Drafts: Looking to the Future (2021-Present)
The most recent drafts reflect the Mercury’s current needs and aspirations. This section examines how they’re utilizing the draft to build a competitive team for the future.
Draft Recap Example:
| Year | Round | Pick # | Player Name | Position | College/Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1 | 9 | Aari McDonald | guard | Arizona |
| 2022 | — | No Picks | — | — | — |
| 2023 | 3 | 36 | Destinee Walker | Guard | North Carolina |
| 2024 | 1 | 3 | Nika Muhl | Guard | UConn |
analyzing the Phoenix Mercury’s Draft Strategy
Beyond just listing the picks, it’s essential to analyze the Mercury’s overall approach to the draft.Key aspects to consider include:
- Position Needs: Does the team tend to draft for specific positions based on current roster gaps?
- Best Player Available: Or does the team prioritize selecting the highest-rated player irrespective of position?
- International Scouting: How active are the Mercury in scouting and drafting international players?
- Trade-Ups and Trade-Downs: Has the team been aggressive in trading draft picks to move up or down in the draft order?
- Late-Round Gems: Have the mercury found any impactful players in the later rounds of the draft?
Notable Phoenix Mercury Draft Success Stories
Highlighting individual success stories brings the draft history to life. Diana Taurasi is a main example, but it is vital to acknowledge some possible “sleeper” picks who surpassed expectations.
- Diana taurasi (2004, 1st Overall): An obvious choice, Taurasi has become one of the greatest WNBA players of all time, leading the mercury to multiple championships.
- Sophie Cunningham (2019, 13th Overall): Cunningham has developed into a key role player and a fan favorite.
Draft Day Trades and Their Impact on the Mercury
The WNBA draft is not just about making selections; it’s also a day for trades. Analyzing the Mercury’s draft-day trades reveals how they’ve strategically maneuvered to acquire players and assets.
Practical Tips for Aspiring WNBA Players and Scouts
This section provides actionable advice for those hoping to be drafted into the WNBA or involved in the scouting process:
- For Players:
- Focus on Skill Development: Continuously improve your fundamental skills and specialize in areas that align with WNBA needs.
- showcase Your Versatility: Demonstrate the ability to play multiple positions and contribute in various ways.
- Build a Strong Reputation: Be a positive teammate and maintain a professional attitude on and off the court.
- perform Well in High-Pressure Situations: Excel in games and tournaments that are heavily scouted.
- Network with Coaches and Scouts: attend camps and showcases to get your name out there and build relationships.
- For Scouts:
- Develop a Comprehensive Scouting Process: Use a combination of game film, live observation, and statistical analysis.
- Focus on Intangibles: Evaluate players’ leadership skills, work ethic, and basketball IQ.
- Build Relationships with Coaches: Network with college and international coaches to gain access to player information.
- Stay Up-to-Date on league Trends: Understand the skills and attributes that are most valued in the modern WNBA.
- Be Objective and Unbiased: Evaluate players based on their merits, regardless of their background or reputation.
The Future of Phoenix Mercury Draft Picks
Looking ahead, the Phoenix mercury will continue to rely on the WNBA draft to replenish their roster and compete for championships. Keep checking back for updates as new draft picks are made and their careers unfold.