How Mercury's Taurasi And Others Won The Wade Trophy

The Wade Trophy was introduced in 1979, and some of the Phoenix Mercury's best player won it during their college years.

Jan 27, 2020; Hartford, Connecticut, USA; 2020 USA Womens National Team guard Diana Taurasi (12) waves to the crown as she in introduced before the game against the UConn Huskies at XL Center. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-Imagn Images / David Butler II-Imagn Images

The Wade Trophy has been around since 1978, and it was named after Lily Margaret Wade. This award is given to the best player in Division I basketball, and some great names have been attached to it.

The first player to win the award was Carol Blazejowski, and right after her, a player tied to the Phoenix Mercury won it. Nancy Lieberman won it in 1979 and 1980, and years later, she was on the Mercury's 1997 roster.

Aug 12, 2023; Springfield, MA, USA; Former basketball player and broadcaster Nancy Lieberman arrives at Symphony Hall for the 2023 Basketball Hall of Fame induction. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-Imagn Images / Eric Canha-Imagn Images

Lieberman was Phoenix's second pick in the elite draft, and she averaged 2.6 points, 1.6 assists and 1.3 rebounds. By that time, Lieberman, who was known as "Lady Magic," had an illustrious career. She won a championship in the Women's American Basketball Association (WABA) and she also won Most Valuable Player (MVP).

After Lieberman, the next player to win was Lynette Woodard. She played for the Cleveland Rockers and the Detroit Shock in the WNBA's early years. Then, a few more players won, and another person with Mercury ties brought it home.

Jul 18, 2024; Phoenix, AZ, USA; WNBA all star team head coach Cheryl Miller walks the red carpet during the WNBA All Star weekend at the Phoenix Convention Center. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images / Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cheryl Miller won in 1985, and while she did not play for the Mercury, she was the team's first coach. She coached the Mercury for four seasons, and in that time, she had a record of 70-52.

Clarissa Davis-Wrightsil won the Wade Trophy in 1989, and she spent a season with the Mercury. She was one of their draft picks in 1999. She averaged 9.3 points, 2.7 rebounds and 1.4 assists during that time.

Taurasi wins, has big year

Another Mercury player won it in 2003, as Diana Taurasi took home the award. She had a big year, as she averaged 17.9 points, 6.1 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.2 blocks. She helped UConn win a championship that year, and she helped the Huskies win their third the following year.

Mar 26, 2013; Waco, TX, USA; Baylor Bears center Brittney Griner (42) speaks to the media after the game against the Florida State Seminoles during the second round of the 2013 NCAA women's basketball tournament at the Ferrell Center. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images / Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images

Brittney Griner won the award, and she did it in 2012 and 2013. Griner led Baylor to a championship in 2012, and she averaged 23.2 points, 9.5 rebounds, 5.2 blocks and 1.6 assists. Then, she averaged 23.8 points, 9.4 rebounds, 4.1 blocks and 2.4 assists in her senior year. After that, she became the No. 1 pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft.

Some great names have been tied to the Wade Trophy, and soon, more players will add their names to the list.

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