How Mercury's Dupree And Others Took Home A Special Award

Candice Dupree helped the Phoenix Mercury win a championship in 2014, and before that, she was doing great things in college.

Jun. 15, 2012; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Candice Dupree (4) reacts on the court after a play against the Minnesota Lynx during the second half at US Airways Center. The Lynx defeated the Mercury 78-60. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images / Jennifer Stewart-Imagn Images

The Atlantic 10 Player of the Year is an award given to the player who excels in that conference. Maggie Doogan won it last season, and she averaged 17.0 points, 7.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists, 1.2 steals and 1.1 blocks.

This award has been around for years, and the first player to win it was Jana Lichnerova. She won the award in 2000, and since then, some talented players have followed in her footsteps.

Some of those players had nice WNBA careers, and a few winners spent time with the Phoenix Mercury.

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Candice Dupree celebrates a play in the first half against the Chicago Sky during game one of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 83-62. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Candice Dupree won the award in 2005 and 2006. She averaged 16.3 points, 9.1 rebounds, 2.2 steals, two blocks and 1.7 assists. She did a bit of everything that season, and she brought that energy to the WNBA.

Dupree had another strong season in 2006, and she averaged 17.4 points, 8.7 rebounds, 2.2 blocks, 2.1 assists and 1.6 steals.

Sep 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Candice Dupree (4) against the Chicago Sky during game two of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

After that season, Dupree entered the WNBA. She was drafted by the Chicago Sky, and she played with them for four seasons. She averaged 13.7 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.2 steals in her rookie season, and she made the All-Rookie Team. She was joined by Seimone Augustus, Cappie Pondexter, Sophia Young and Monique Currie.

Dupree contributes in Phoenix's dominant season

The Sky forward headed to Phoenix, as the Mercury acquired her in a trade. They gave up Pondexter, who went on to play for the New York Liberty. Dupree had some great years with Phoenix, and she helped them win a championship in 2014. She averaged 14.5 points, 7.6 rebounds and 2.4 assists that year. Dupree is a Mercury legend, and her college years were a glimpse of what she would do later on.

Years after Dupree won the award, another player with Mercury ties took it. Shey Peddy won it in 2012, and like Dupree, she attended Temple.

Peddy's final season at Temple was a success, as she averaged 17.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 3.1 steals. Right after that, she was drafted by the Chicago Sky, but she was waived. She made her WNBA debut years later, and she played for the Washington Mystics. Then, she played with the Mercury from 2020 to 2023.

Oct 17, 2021; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Sky guard Courtney Vandersloot (22) and Phoenix Mercury guard Shey Peddy (5) during the second half of game four of the 2021 WNBA Finals at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images / Matt Marton-Imagn Images

During her time with the Mercury, Peddy had her best season, and she averaged 9.9 points, 3.8 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 1.6 steals.

Both Dupree and Peddy had successful stints with the Mercury, and before that, they were making an impact in the Atlantic 10.

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