How 2011 Draft Left Lasting Impact on Mercury

The Phoenix Mercury drafted an All-Rookie Team member in 2012,but the year before, they selected late in the draft, and those players had their own journeys.

Dec 18, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Brittany Spears (22) is defended by Southern California Trojans guard Len'Nique Brown (14) in the 2010 Women of Troy tournament at the Galen Center. USC defeated Colorado 68-54. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images / Kirby Lee-Imagn Images

The Phoenix Mercury drafted one of their biggest players in 2013, and then the year before, they drafted a member of that season's All-Rookie Team. Brittney Griner helped them win a championship in 2014, which was a year after they drafted her. Before that, they found Samantha Prahalis out of Ohio State, who ended up having a nice rookie season.

The Mercury have found a mixture of stars and hidden gems throughout their time, and like all teams, some picks do not work out. Oftentimes, it is not because of the player's talents, but it may be the wrong fit or the wrong time.

Mercury draft players in second and third rounds

Phoenix has encountered that, especially in the years where they draft late. The 2011 WNBA Draft was one of those instances, as they had two draft picks, but they were in the second and third rounds. The Mercury had the 19th pick, then much later, they had the 31st pick.

Mar 2, 2011; Lincoln, NE, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers guard Lindsey Moore (00) and Colorado Buffaloes forward Brittany Spears (22) fight for the loose ball during the first half at Bob Devaney Sports Center. Mandatory Credit: Bruce Thorson-Imagn Images / Bruce Thorson-Imagn Images

With the 19th pick of that year's draft, the Mercury selected Brittany Spears. Spears spent her college years with Colorado, and she had some good seasons with them. Her best year was her final year, where she averaged 19.2 points, 8.1 rebounds, 1.8 steals, 1.3 assists and 1.2 blocks. She made the All-Big 12 First Team that season, and in her first year, she made the All-Freshman Team. She went on to play overseas in places like Spain and Poland.

March 5, 2011; Boulder, CO, USA; Colorado Buffaloes forward Brittany Spears (22) passes the ball in the second half against the Baylor Lady Bears at the Coors Events Center. The Lady Bears defeated the Buffaloes, 81-59. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images / Ron Chenoy-Imagn Images

As far as the Mercury's pick in the third round, they used it to draft Tahnee Robinson. Robinson spent her college years with Nevada. In that time, she received honors such as WAC Freshman of the Year, and she was featured on the All-WAC First Team in 2010 and 2011.

The Mercury have drafted many players over the years, and they all have had different paths. Drafting is a process, and that is especially true when drafting in later rounds.

Spears and Robinson may not have suited up for the Mercury, but being drafted ties them to the franchise. They had respectable college careers that caught the eye of Phoenix, and their names were called. Both of them played overseas, and later on, and Robinson even became the Director of Player Development for Nevada. So, all in all, things worked out for them.

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