During the offseason, the Mercury signed league scoring leader Tina Charles of the Washington Mystics. Then Phoenix traded for Diamond DeShields of the Chicago Sky. After playing in the 2021 WNBA Finals, the Mercury, with their new coach Vanessa Nygaard, are ready for a championship run again this season. The Phoenix Mercury had two 3rd round selections last night in the 2022 WNBA draft and filled possible needs at the forward spot.
1st Round
In February 2021. the Phoenix Mercury traded their 2021 2nd round pick and their 2022 1st round pick to the New York Liberty in exchange for Kia Nurse and Megan Walker. Therefore, the Mercury did not have a 1st round pick last night.
2nd Round
The Mercury’s 2nd round pick was part of a three-team deal that brought DeShields to the Mercury and sent Bria Hartley to the Indiana Fever. The Fever received the Mercury’s 2nd round selections for 2022 and 2023.
3rd Round
Pick #26
With the 26th pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Maya Dodson from Notre Dame. Dodson played for Stanford as an undergraduate and transferred to Notre Dame as a graduate student for the 2021-2022 season. A 6-3 forward, she started in all 33 games for Notre Dame and averaged 49% from the field. She also had seven double-doubles last season and was named 2nd team All-ACC and named to the ACC All-Defensive team.
This was a sound choice for the Mercury. While Phoenix has a plethora of guards, centers Brittney Griner and Tina Charles, the Mercury could use some help at the forward spot. This is most likely a backup role, giving Brianna Turner a rest and providing a spark off of the bench. Dodson has the potential to make this roster, but she needs to outplay a lot of other talent to secure a spot.
Pick #32
With the 32nd pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Macee Williams from IUPUI. A 6-2 forward/center, she averaged 16.6 points, 9.1 rebounds., and shot 58% from the field. Williams was also a finalist for the 2022 Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year.
Again, Phoenix chose a forward, an area of need. Williams’ numbers are impressive, but she may need to play with a chip on her shoulder to find a roster spot on this talented roster.
Camp Outlook
Dodson and Williams will have tough competition making the Phoenix Mercury roster. They will be competing against Kristine Anigwe, Vivian Gray, Leaonna Odom, and Sam Thomas for a forward roster spot. With a Mercury squad this stacked it will be an honor and privilege to not only make the team, but to learn from some of the very best. Good luck to these two fine young players on the next part of their basketball journey.
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