Looking At The Mercury's Ties With Duke

The Phoenix Mercury have drafted several players, and some of them played for Duke.

Sep 7, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Mistie Bass (8) 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

Mistie Bass was drafted by the Phoenix Mercury, but she started her career with the Houston Comets. The Mercury traded her, and she played for the Comets for three seasons. Then, she played for the Chicago Sky and the Connecticut Sun before joining the Mercury.

Bass played for Duke in her college years, and she averaged 9.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 1.2 assists during that time. She played well in those years, and in the 2006 draft, which was the same one where players like Cappie Pondexter and Candice Dupree were selected,

Sep 9, 2014; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury center Brittney Griner (42) and forward Mistie Bass (8) against the Chicago Sky during game two of the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center. The Mercury defeated the Sky 97-68. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

When it comes to Duke players making the WNBA, there have been 26. Michele Van Gorp was the first, as she was drafted back in 1999. She was a second-round pick, and she was drafted by the New York Liberty.

Van Gorp spent her rookie season with the Liberty, and after that, she played for the Portland Fire and the Minnesota Lynx.

After Van Gorp, Georgia Schweitzer was the next Duke player to be drafted. She was a second-round pick, and while she was drafted by the Miami Sol, she played for the Lynx.

A few years later, Alana Beard and Iciss Tillis were drafted. Two years after they were drafted, Monique Currie and Bass were selected. Currie started her career with the Charlotte Sting, and later in her career, she played for Phoenix.

With the first pick..

Then, a Duke player was selected with the first pick of the 2007 WNBA draft. The Mercury picked Lindsey Harding, and after that, they traded her to the Lynx for Tangela Smith.

More Duke players entered the league, and in 2011, there was another with Mercury ties. Krystal Thomas was drafted by the Seattle Storm, but she was waived by them shortly after. She joined the Mercury and spent a few years with them.

Oct 8, 2025; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Las Vegas Aces guard Chelsea Gray (12) dribbles the ball past Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) in the second half during game three of the 2025 WNBA Finals at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Since then, there have been other Duke players who have made the league, as Chelsea Gray, Azura Stevens, Lexie Brown and others were Blue Devils. Stevens started with Duke, but she finished her college years with the UConn Huskies. Brown attended Maryland, and she later moved to Duke.

May 11, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Celeste Taylor (12) against the Golden State Valkyries during a preseason game at PHX Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Celeste Taylor spent some time with the Mercury, and while she played for Ohio State in her final year, she played for Texas and Duke before that.

Duke's history with the WNBA runs deep, and as time goes on, more players will join Bass, Harding and the others.

Please follow us on X to read more about Mistie Bass and her seasons with the Mercury when you click right here!

feed