Looking At Phoenix's Early First-round Picks

The Phoenix Mercury's origins day backmost to 1997. The WNBA had 8 teams during that time, and erstwhile it came to nan Western Conference, nan Mercury played alongside nan Los Angeles Sparks, nan Sacramento Monarchs and nan Utah Starzz.

Nov 15, 2014; Columbia, SC, USA; USC Trojans caput coach Cynthia Cooper directs her squad against nan South Carolina Gamecocks successful nan first half astatine Colonial Life Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Blake-Imagn Images / Jeff Blake-Imagn Images

Phoenix received 2 players done allocation, arsenic Jennifer Gillom and Michele Timms joined nan team. Then, players for illustration Lisa Leslie and Cynthia Cooper were progressive successful that phase. Leslie went to nan Sparks, and Cooper went to nan Houston Comets.

After that phase, nan WNBA held a typical draft, and nan Mercury brought successful 2 players. They drafted Bridget Pettis successful nan first round, and they drafted Nancy Lieberman successful nan second.

Jul 31, 2021; Dallas, Texas, USA; Power caput coach Nancy Lieberman claps arsenic she watches nan crippled against Killer 3 during week 4 of nan Big3 3-on-3 hoops convention astatine American Airlines Center. Mandatory Credit: Aric Becker-Imagn Images / Aric Becker-Imagn Images

Once that draught was over, nan WNBA had its first assemblage draft. Tina Thompson was nan first prime of that draft, and players for illustration Pamela McGee, Jamila Wideman and Sue Wicks followed her.

The Mercury picked Toni Foster successful nan first round, and she averaged 8.8 points, 6.1 rebounds, 1.9 steals and an assistance successful her rookie season. Since then, nan Mercury person had respective first-round picks, and each of them will beryllium explored successful owed time.

For now, Phoenix's early first-round picks will beryllium explored, and aft drafting Foster successful 1997, they drafted a Russian halfway nan pursuing year. They drafted Maria Stepanova, and she averaged 3.3 points and 1.9 rebounds successful her first season. Later on, she had immoderate coagulated seasons, and successful 2001, she was successful nan Most Improved Player race.

In 1999, nan Mercury Edna Campbell, and she averaged 9.6 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.3 assists. She spent 1 play pinch nan Mercury, arsenic she was a portion of an description draught a twelvemonth later. She was drafted by nan Seattle Storm, and she had nan champion play of her profession pinch them.

Jul 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; A Wilson charismatic WNBA Evo NXT hoops approaches nan nett and rim astatine nan Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Mercury did not person a first-round prime successful 2000, but they had 1 successful 2001. They had 5 picks that year, and pinch their first pick, they drafted Kristen Veal. She played 29 games successful her first play pinch nan Mercury, and she started successful 14 of them. She was a facilitator, arsenic she averaged 4.3 assists. She averaged 4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals.

Phoenix recovered immoderate talented players successful their first fewer seasons, and arsenic clip passed, they recovered their stars.

Please travel america connected X to publication much astir nan Mercury's first-round picks and really they played erstwhile you click correct here!