PHOENIX - The two-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today announced the acquisition of former WNBA Champion guard Erin Phillips, a sharpshooter and hard-nosed perimeter defender who is expected to join the Mercury's starting lineup. In exchange for Phillips, the Mercury has sent forward Lynetta Kizer and its 2014 first-round draft pick (ninth overall) to the Indiana Fever. As part of the deal, Phoenix also receives the Fever's 2014 second-round selection (17th overall).
"Erin Phillips is the embodiment of the need we set out to address this offseason'a capable ball-handler, knock-down shooter, and tough perimeter defender who plays hard every night," said Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman. "We are very pleased to add a player of Erin's talent and a person of her caliber to our roster."
A member of the 2012 WNBA Champion Fever, the 5-8, 165-pound Phillips brings to the Mercury a championship pedigree and playing experience at the highest levels of international competition. In addition to her league title, Phillips earned an Olympic silver medal (2008) and World Championships gold medal (2006) with the Australian National Team. She is a national team teammate of Mercury forward Penny Taylor and has been mentored in her career by former Australian Olympian and new Mercury Head Coach Sandy Brondello.
On the court, Phillips is a six-year WNBA veteran with Connecticut (2006, 2008, 2009) and Indiana (2011-13), who has made five playoff appearances in those six seasons, including four trips to the conference finals, one WNBA Finals berth and the 2012 title.
In addition to her ability to handle the ball and defend both guard and wing positions, Phillips gives the Mercury an outstanding three-point shooter. A 38.0-percent career shooter from long range, Phillips has shot 44.5 percent (77-of-173) from long range over the last three seasons, setting career highs in 2011 (42.6), 2012 (43.8) and 2013 (47.9). She is a career 43.9-percent three-point shooter in the WNBA Playoffs.
In the 2012 WNBA Finals against the Minnesota Lynx, Phillips started all four games for the Fever, averaging 13.5 points in 35.5 minutes. Tasked with defending Minnesota's talented backcourt, Phillips also shot 46.7 percent from three-point range in Indiana's four-game series win, tallying a playoff career-high 18 points in the championship-clinching Game 4 victory. Phillips shot 51.7 percent from long distance overall in the 2012 postseason, starting nine of 10 games.
Phillips owns career averages of 6.8 points, 2.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists in 152 games (67 starts).
A founding member of the longest-running, most successful women's basketball league in the world, this summer the Phoenix Mercury begins its 18th WNBA season. Behind Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, the sport's two highest profile athletes, the Mercury's chase for the franchise's third WNBA championship begins May 17. Secure your tickets today by logging on to PhoenixMercury.com.