Phoenix's International Players Help Team During Troubling Season

The Phoenix Mercury's early rosters had a number of international players, and they played a role in the team's success.

Phoenix Mercury fans cheer for their team against the Los Angeles Sparks during the third quarter at PHX Arena in Phoenix, on May 21, 2025. / Michael Chow/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The 1999 season was a challenge for the Phoenix Mercury, as it was the first time the team missed the playoffs. The Mercury had two strong seasons in 1997 and 1998, and both of those seasons led to postseason appearances.

Jun 14, 2025; San Francisco, California, USA; The shoes of Seattle Storm forward Gabby Williams (5) are seen against the Golden State Valkyries in the fourth quarter at Chase Center. Mandatory Credit: Eakin Howard-Imagn Images / Eakin Howard-Imagn Images

Phoenix's first appearance consisted of a game against the New York Liberty, and the Liberty came out victorious. Then, in 1998, the Mercury made the WNBA Finals, and they lost to the Houston Comets. Regardless of the result, the Mercury were in a good place, and they had talented players on their roster.

July 27, 2012; London, United Kingdom; USA women's assistant coach Jennifer Gillom with First lady Michelle Obama and players Tina Charles , Sylvia Fowles , Angel McCoughtry , Asjah Jones, far right, following a informal breakfast in honor of the Olympians at the SportsDock training facility on the campus of the University of East London. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-Imagn Images / John David Mercer-Imagn Images

Some of those players attended college, and they took that next step. Jennifer Gillom attended Ole Miss, and she had some strong performances. Years later, she became one of the Mercury's first players, and she accomplished great things in her time with the team.

Mercury's familiar faces return

Phoenix also had players like Michele Timms, who came from another country. She was from Australia, and like Gillom, she joined the Mercury through the WNBA's allocation period.

The Mercury had other international players, and like Timms, they made a name for themselves. In 1999, some familiar faces were back, as Marlies Askamp entered her third season. She had her best, as she averaged 9.4 points and 7.2 rebounds.

Aug 11, 2024; Paris, France; Belgium centre Becky Massey (25) shoots the ball against Australia forward Alanna Smith (top) and guard Jade Melbourne (bottom) in the women's basketball bronze medal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-Imagn Images / Kyle Terada-Imagn Images

Kristi Harrower was back, and like Timms, she was representing Australia. She averaged 4.5 points, three assists and two rebounds in what was her final season with the Mercury. She spent some years with the Minnesota Lynx, and her last stop was Los Angeles.

Andrea Kuklová was back in action, and she played five games with the Mercury that year. Maria Stepanova returned, and she averaged 7.8 points, 5.1 rebounds and 1.9 blocks. She had a good year, and she would have even better ones in the future.

The Mercury also had another international player, as MerleLynn Lange-Harris joined the team. She attended UNLV, but she was born in Canada and she represented the country in the 1996 Olympics. She played one game with the Mercury, and she grabbed two rebounds.

International players continued to make an impact on the Mercury, and while the team did not make the playoffs, they still had talent from many different places. That talent would help them return to the playoffs, and they did it right after that season. Phoenix had a great group, and players like Timms and others helped the team get back on track.

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