Phoenix Mercury’s 2008 Draft Picks Shine With Big Performances

The Phoenix Mercury had three picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft, and some of them had big games during their careers.

May 22, 2012; Newark, NJ, USA; New York Liberty guard Leilani Mitchell (5) warms up before a game against the Minnesota Lynx at the Prudential Center. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury missed the playoffs in 2008, and they finished the season with a record of 16-18. They won the championship the previous year, but they were unable to get the repeat.

The Mercury did not have a bad season, but they did have some ups and for downs. For example, they started the season with a losing streak before beating the Washington Mystics. Phoenix went 0-4 in the beginning, but a 29-point game from Diana Taurasi helped snap the streak.

Before that season, the Mercury brought in new talent. They had three picks in the 2008 WNBA Draft, and they had one each round. Phoenix had the 13th pick of the draft, which was the second-to-last pick of the first round.

Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) spins past Washington Mystics center LaToya Sanders (30) during the second quarter at Talking Stick Resort Arena in Phoenix on August 7, 2018. / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

With that pick, the Mercury drafted LaToya Sanders. Sanders attended North Carolina, and in her four seasons, she averaged 8.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 2.4 blocks and 1.1 steals. She played with the Mercury for a year, and she averaged 4.4 points, 3.5 rebounds and 1.5 blocks.

After that season, she was traded to the Minnesota Lynx, and she averaged 2.2 points and 2.2 rebounds in 17 games. Then, she played for the Los Angeles Sparks and the Mystics later on.

Sanders had her career high with the Mystics, as she had 25 points in a game against the Dallas Wings. Dallas beat Washington 90-81 in that game, and Sanders was the team's leading scorer. She also had five rebounds, three steals, two assists and two blocks. Washington had one other player who scored in double figures, as Ariel Atkins had 15.

Jun 27, 2015; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Lynx guard Lindsay Whalen (13) passes in the third quarter against the Phoenix Mercury guard Leilani Mitchell (5) at Target Center. The Minnesota Lynx beat the Phoenix Mercury 71-56. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-Imagn Images / Brad Rempel-Imagn Images

Phoenix's second pick in the 2008 draft was Leilani Mitchell. While she was drafted by the Mercury, she did not play for them until a few years later. They traded her to the New York Liberty, and she spent her first few seasons with them. Then, she spent some seasons with the Mercury and the Mystics.

Mitchell and Griner lead Phoenix to victory

Mitchell had her career high with Phoenix, as she had 29 points against New York. She also had three rebounds and two assists. The Mercury came to play in that game, as Brittney Griner had 29 as well. She also had 14 rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

The Mercury had one more pick in the 2008 draft, and they selected Marscilla Packer. She attended Ohio State, and she averaged 9.7 points, 2.3 assists and 2.1 rebounds. She did not play for them during the regular season, but she did appear in a preseason game. The Mercury lost that game, and Packer had six points and two rebounds.

Sep 7, 2018; Seattle, WA, USA; Washington Mystics forward LaToya Sanders (30) looks to pass against the Seattle Storm during the first quarter of game one of the WNBA finals at KeyArena. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Buchanan-Imagn Images / Jennifer Buchanan-Imagn Images

Phoenix has found some talented players over the years, and the 2008 draft was no exception.

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