How Phoenix's Stars Made History

The Phoenix Mercury drafted legendary players, and two of them have a special place in history.

Aug 1, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; United States centre Brittney Griner (15) celebrates with shooting guard Diana Taurasi (12) after defeating Belgium in a women’s group stage game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury have had some stars over the years, and a lot of them earned their share of accolades. The Mercury have had All-Stars, they have champions and some of them made history with their award wins.

Phoenix players have been involved in the Most Valuable Player (MVP) race early on, and in the team's first season, a key player received MVP nods. Michele Timms was fifth in the MVP race, and she received 20 points. Cynthia Cooper won the award, and she was the unanimous winner.

Xavier head coach Jennifer Gillom directs her team against Hamilton during the 6A Girls State Championship at Wells Fargo Arena in Tempe Tuesday, Feb 26, 2019. 6a Girls State Championship 022319 010 / Darryl Webb/Special for the Republic

In 1998, the Mercury had another player in the MVP race, as Jennifer Gillom finished second. She had eight first-place votes, and she earned 303 points. It would be some years before a Mercury player won the award, but it finally happened in 2009.

Mercury star wins MVP

Diana Taurasi won the award that year, and she had 27 first-place votes. She ended up with a total of 323 points, and she had a significant lead over other candidates.

Phoenix Mercury guard Diana Taurasi (3) waits to be introduced on Sept. 19, 2024, at Footprint Center in Phoenix. / Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Taurasi averaged 20.4 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 1.4 blocks and 1.2 steals. She had a fantastic season, and today, she is still the only Mercury player who received this honor. Others have come close, and Alyssa Thomas was the most recent.

The 2009 season was a big year for Taurasi and the Mercury, as they won the franchise's second championship. The All-Star guard also won Finals MVP, which made her the second Mercury player to do it. Cappie Pondexer did it first, as she helped Phoenix win back in 2007.

Phoenix's stars have played well on both ends, and the franchise has had someone take home the Defensive Player of the Year award.

Brittney Griner won the award, and she became the franchise's first winner back in 2014. She is known for her shot-blocking ability, and she averaged 3.7 blocks. That was a big year for Griner and the team, as they finished the season with a record of 29-5. They won a championship, as they beat the Los Angeles Sparks, the Minnesota Lynx and the Chicago Sky in the playoffs.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) blocks Connecticut Sun forward DeWanna Bonner (24) on Friday, Sept. 13, 2024 at Footprint Center, in Phoenix. / Owen Ziliak/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After winning the award, Griner won another. She won back-to-back Defensive Player of the Year awards, as she averaged four blocks in 2015. She was on a roll, and her defense helped the Mercury win important games.

Griner and Taurasi have special places in Mercury history, and one day, another star will join them.

Please follow us on X to read more about Mercury stars and the ones who made history when you click right here!

feed