One of the original WNBA teams that still exists since the WNBA had its first season in 1997, the Phoenix Mercury are in their 27th season and have won the WNBA Championship three times so far. With Championships in 2007, 2009 and 2014, the Mercury have been home to several great WNBA players throughout their franchise’s history. Here is a list of some of the best that have put on their jersey.

Phoenix Mercury Roster History Throughout the franchise’s 27-year history, the Mercury have had the number one overall pick three times. During those three years the Mercury selected some cornerstone pieces including Diana Taurasi number one overall in 2004, Lindsey Harding number one overall in 2007 and Brittney Griner number one overall in 2013.

Famous Phoenix Mercury Players
The Phoenix Mercury have several famous players that have played and currently play for the franchise. Most notably is Diana Taurasi, who still currently plays for the Mercury and was a part of all three of the team’s Championships. Brittney Griner is also a popular Mercury player as she’s one of the league’s best bigs currently and when she retires will be one of the best in the history of the game. There are a few other famous players that have put on the Mercury jersey but don’t let me play spoiler here, read more to find out.

Ranking the Top 10 Greatest Phoenix Mercury Players of all time

10 . Anna DeForge (2003-2005)
Position: Guard
Career Stats: 10.2 points per game, 3.2 rebounds per game, 2.1 assists per game
Awards: 1x WNBA All Star

Anna DeForge played eight seasons in the WNBA and was the first player from the University of Nebraska to play in the WNBA. One of the members selected in the WNBA vs.USA basketball game in 2004, DeForge had her best season of her career in 2004 with the Mercury as she averaged a career-high 14.4 points per game.

9. Brianna Turner (2019-Present)

Position: Forward
Career Stats:  5.3 points per game, 7.1 rebounds per game
Awards: NCAA Champion and 2x WNBA-Defensive First Team

Currently in her fifth WNBA season, Brianna Turner is showing signs of becoming the star she was at the University of Notre Dame where she led the Fighting Irish to a National Championship in 2017. Known for her defense, look for Turner to start incorporating more of an offensive game over the next couple of seasons.

8. Cappie Pondexter (2006-2009)

Position: Guard
Career Stats:  16.4 points per game, 3.8 assists per game, 3.7 assists per game
Awards: 2x WNBA Champion, WNBA Finals MVP and 7x WNBA All Star

Voted by fans in 2011 as a top 15 WNBA player, Cappie Pondexter, who played 14 seasons in the WNBA but only four with the Phoenix Mercury, was an elite talent. Helping lead the Mercury to their first and second WNBA Championships, Pondexter, if she remained in Phoenix for her entire career would certainly be higher on this list as well as have her jersey retired in the rafters.

7. Candice Dupree (2010-2016)

Position: Forward
Career Stats:  14.0 points per game, 6.2 rebounds per game
Awards: WNBA Champion and 7x WNBA All Star

Selected sixth overall in the 2006 WNBA draft by the Chicago Sky, Dupree would be acquired by the Phoenix Mercury in 2010 in a three-team deal. A seven-time all-star, Dupree would be a key piece of the Mercury’s 2014 title run as she helped the Mercury sweep her former team in the finals. Dupree had 24 points and 6 assists in their closeout game to complete the sweep over the Sky and win the 2014 WNBA Championship.

6. Penny Taylor (2004-2016)

Position: Forward
Career Stats:  13.0 points per game, 4.4 rebounds per game
Awards: 3x WNBA Champion, 3X WNBA All Star and number 13 retired by Phoenix Mercury

Penny Taylor was selected 11th overall in the 2001 WNBA draft by the Cleveland Rockets. When the Rockets franchise ended in 2004, the WNBA held a dispersal draft in which the Mercury acquired Taylor with the first pick. Since joining the Mercury in 2004 Taylor made an immediate impact and was a key piece in all three of the franchise’s Championships.

5. Skylar Diggins-Smith (2020-Present)

Position: Point Guard
Career Stats: 16.7 points per game, 5.0 assists per game
Awards: 6x WNBA All Star, 2x Nancy Lieberman Award winner and Indiana Miss Basketball 2009

Phoenix Mercury point guard Diggins-Smith was selected third overall in the 2013 WNBA draft by the Tulsa Shock. Acquired in a sign and trade by the Phoenix Mercury in 2020, Diggins-Smith has been a cornerstone piece for the franchise ever since. While she’s yet to win a WNBA Championship, with Brittney Griner, Diana Taurasi and herself, Phoenix has the pieces to do so.

4. Jennifer Gillom (1997-2003)

Position: Power Forward
Career Stats: 13.4 points per game, 4.3 rebounds per game
Awards: WNBA All-Star, Gold Medal Winner 1988 and her number 32 retired by Phoenix
Phoenix Mercury power forward Jennifer "Grandmama" Gillom was one of the first WNBA players signed when they had their inaugural season in 1997. Gillom, a former standout at Ole Miss and a member of the 1988 USA Women’s National team who she helped lead to a gold medal, played in her first WNBA season at 33 years old. During her career with the Mercury they would go to the WNBA finals once and the semi-finals twice.

3. DeWanna Bonner (2009-2019)

Position: Small Forward
Career Stats: 14.9 points per game, 6.1 rebounds per game
Awards: 2x WNBA Champion and 5x WNBA All Star

Drafted fifth overall by the Phoenix Mercury in 2009, DeWanna Bonner ranks as the best Phoenix Mercury small forward of all time. Helping lead the Mercury to two WNBA Championships during her 10 seasons with the franchise, Bonner, who currently plays for the Connecticut Sun, will always be a key piece of the Mercury’s history.

2. Brittney Griner (2013-Present)

Position: Center
Career Stats: 17.7 points per game, 7.6 rebounds per game
Awards: WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA Scoring Champion and NCAA Champion

Phoenix Mercury Center Brittney Griner has been a pivotal piece of their franchise since being drafted number one overall in 2013. Making an instant impact as Dallas Mavericks owner Mark Cuban made comments about drafting Griner to his Mavericks to play in the NBA, Griner would help lead the Mercury to their third WNBA Championship in her second year in the league. With several seasons still ahead of her, Griner continues to improve year after year.

1. Diana Taurasi (2004-Present)

Position: Shooting Guard
Career Stats: 19.1 points per game, 4.3 assists per game, 3.9 rebounds per game
Awards: 3x WNBA Champion, 2x WNBA Finals MVP,5x WNBA Scoring Champion, 2009 WNBA MVP

When the Phoenix Mercury formed their franchise in 1997 they had a great start making it to the semi-finals in year one and to the WNBA finals in year two. However, after making it to the semi-finals again in 2000, it was all downhill from there for Phoenix. When the Mercury selected Taurasi number one overall in 2004, their franchise would change completely. Winning the Mercury their first WNBA Championship in franchise history in 2007 and then two more in 2009 and 2014, it goes without question that Diana Taurasi is not only the greatest Phoenix Mercury player of all-time but one of the WNBA’s best players of all time.

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