How DeWanna Bonner Helped Phoenix Win Another Championship

The Phoenix Mercury drafted DeWanna Bonner in 2009, and she played a big role in their second championship.

Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (14) shoots the ball while being fouled by Las Vegas Aces forward NaLyssa Smith (3) during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix on Oct. 8, 2025. / Joe Rondone/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

DeWanna Bonner has had a special WNBA career, and it all started in 2009. Bonner was the fifth pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft, and she was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury.

The 2009 season was a big year for Phoenix, and because of that, Bonner made her playoff debut. Before that, the Mercury rookie had a solid regular season, and she won Sixth Woman of the Year. She averaged 11.2 points and 5.8 rebounds.

Aug 26, 2010; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Diana Taurasi (3) congratulates guard DeWanna Bonner (24) during the second half in game one of the Western Conference semi-finals in the 2010 WNBA playoffs at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Silver Stars 106-93. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

Bonner gets a double-double

Bonner had some impressive games during the regular season, and her best was against the Minnesota Lynx. She had 21 points, and she also had 10 rebounds, an assist and a block. The Mercury improved to 4-1 with their 104-80 win over the Lynx, and their rookie was one of five players who scored in double figures.

Diana Taurasi was the leading scorer in that game, and she had 28 points. On top of her scoring, the Mercury guard contributed in other ways. She had six rebounds, three assists and a steal.

Sep 25, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Penny Taylor (13) , guard DeWanna Bonner (24) , guard Temeka Johnson (2) , and forward Nakia Sanford (43) huddle on the court while playing against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at the US Airways Center. The Lynx defeated the Mercury 103-86. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

Tameka Johnson and Tangela Smith both had 13 points. Johnson had six assists, five rebounds, two steals and two blocks. Smith had six rebounds, two blocks, an assist and a steal.

Cappie Pondexter had a nice outing as well, and she had 11 points, nine rebounds, nine assists, a steal and a block. The Mercury played well overall, and their rookie's scoring off the bench made them even better.

Phoenix finished the season with a record of 23-11, and that led to a playoff appearance. The year before that, the Mercury missed the playoffs, and in turn, they missed out on a chance to repeat.

Sep 3, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Los Angeles Sparks forward Candace Parker (3) is guarded by Phoenix Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner (24) during the first half at the US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

During the playoff run, Bonner averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 rebounds. Her best performance was a 16-point game against the San Antonio Silver Stars. The Mercury bench had a strong showing, as Bonner also had 13 rebounds and two assists. Penny Taylor came off the bench, and she had 14 points, three assists, two rebounds and a steal and a block.

The Mercury had three starters who scored in double figures, as Taurasi had 24, Pondexter had 18 and Le'coe Willingham had 10.

Phoenix's win over San Antonio was just the beginning, and after beating the Los Angeles Sparks and the Indiana Fever, the Mercury won another championship.

Bonner had a great rookie season, and today, she is still going strong.

Please follow us on X to read more about DeWanna Bonner and her playoff years when you click right here!

feed