Mercury's Bonner Sets The Tone In Her First College Season

DeWanna Bonner has left her mark with the Phoenix Mercury, and before joining the Mercury, she was one of Auburn's stars.

Sep 25, 2011; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard DeWanna Bonner (24) puts up a shot 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

DeWanna Bonner began her career with the Phoenix Mercury, and she was the fifth pick of the 2009 WNBA Draft. She was a part of the same draft class as Angel McCoughtry, Kristi Toliver and Briann January. Toliver and January have ties to the Mercury, as one of them is now Phoenix's associate head coach and the other played for them in 2018 and 2019.

Bonner helped the Mercury win their second championship, and she won Sixth Woman of the Year in the process.

DeWanna Bonner (14) of the Phoenix Mercury shoots, attempting 2 points during a close game against the Chicago Sky at PHX Arena on Aug. 28, 2025, in Phoenix. / Megan Mendoza/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Bonner receives special honor

Before starting her WNBA career, Bonner was a star in college. She accomplished great things, and she won SEC Player of the Year in 2009. She had an excellent season, and she averaged 21.1 points, 8.5 rebounds, 1.7 steals, 1.6 blocks and 1.5 assists.

As her stats show, Bonner did a bit of everything. She continued to improve, and when she joined the Mercury became of their key players.

The Mercury reserve started her college years on a good note, and she averaged 13.5 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.4 steals.

Jan 29, 2009; Athens, GA, USA; Auburn Tigers guard/forward DeWanna Bonner (24) runs into Georgia Bulldogs forward Angel Robinson (33) sending the ball flying out of bounds in the second half at Stegeman Coliseum. Georgia defeated Auburn 67-58. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images / Dale Zanine-Imagn Images

Bonner started her journey in Auburn's game against Texas–Pan American. She had 19 points, four rebounds, three assists, three steals and a block. Auburn won that game, as Bonner and her teammates beat Texas-Pan American 85-32.

Auburn faced Kent State in the next game, and while Bonner scored in single digits, she helped out in other areas. She had nine rebounds in that outing, and she also had eight points, an assist and a steal.

Kent State won that game, as the Golden Flashes beat the Tigers 68-64. That game went into overtime.

The Mercury All-Star had back-to-back 14-point games, and Auburn won both games. The Tigers beat the Buffalo Bulls 70-41, and they beat the George Mason Patriots 77-36.

Jan 25, 2009; Auburn, AL, USA; Auburn Tigers guard DeWanna Bonner (24) gets around Tennessee Volunteers forward Alex Fuller (2) at Beard-Eaves Memorial Coliseum. Bonner led all scorers with 35 points as the Tigers beat the Volunteers 82-68. Mandatory Credit: John Reed-Imagn Images / John Reed-Imagn Images

Bonner was fitting in, and her best game was a 25-point outing against South Carolina. She did her share of scoring, and she had 13 rebounds, two steals, an assist and a block. Auburn won that game, as Bonner and her teammates picked up a 64-48 victory.

The two-time champion was just getting started, and as time revealed she would shine at both the collegiate level and the professional level. Bonner had a nice season, and as time went on, she became an Auburn legend.

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