Phoenix Mercury Offseason Overseas Update: Week 2

Kesley Bone | Center #3 | Liaoning Hengye (China)

Kelsey Bone continued her stellar play in China this week despite Liaoning’s 1-2 record in its three games over six days. Bone averaged 30 points and 11.7 rebounds over the three games, while shooting 50.6-percent from the field. The Mercury center’s highlight game during the week came on November 1, as Bone scored 37 points and grabbed 13 boards in the three-point loss. Having started in all seven of Liaoning’s games during the Chinese League season, the 2015 WNBA all-star is averaging 30.3 points on 52.0-percent shooting and 12.3 rebounds. Bone currently ranks third in scoring in the Chinese League and fourth in rebounds.

Upcoming Games This Week: November 5: Liaoning (2-6) vs. Shenyang (6-2); November 8: Liaoning (2-6) vs. Xinijiang (3-5)

Brittney Griner | Center #42 | UMMC Ekaterinburg (Russia)

Coming off an 11-point loss last week in the EuroLeague opener, Griner led UMMC Ekaterinburg to two-straight wins this week, averaging 17 points and 2.5 blocks in the wins. On October 30, Griner scored a game-high 17 points on seven-of-10 shooting in just 18 minutes of play after battling foul trouble throughout the contest. Although this was Griner’s first Russian League game of the season season, the win moved Ekaterinburg to 6-0 in Russian League play. The 6-8 center followed that performance with another 17-point outing on November 2 in the team’s second EuroLeague game of the season. Griner also finished with five rebounds and four blocks in an 82-61 win over Uniqa Sopron.

Upcoming Games This Week: November 6: Russian League, UMMC Ekaterinburg (6-0) at Sparta&k Vidnoe Moscow (2-4); November 9: EuroLeague, UMMC Ekaterinburg (1-1) at Hatay BB (0-2), Free live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/FIBA at 8 a.m. Phoenix time.

Alex Harden | Guard #15 | Hapoel Zichron Maagan Michael (Israel)

Alex Harden made her debut in the Israeli League this week with Hapoel Zichron Maagan Michael. The Mercury guard scored a team-high 19 points and grabbed five rebounds in the 51-94 loss to open up the season. Earning the start, Harden saw 36 minutes of action and shot 56.3-percent (nine-of-16) from the field.

Upcoming Games This Week: Not Available

Isabelle Harrison | Center #20 | CCC Polkowice (Poland)

After not playing in CCC Polkowice’s ZBL League game on October 29 due to a coach’s decision, Isabelle Harrison saw 24-minutes of action in Polcowice’s 60-65 loss to Bourges Basket on November 2. The Mercury center scored 12 points on five-of-nine shooting and grabbed six rebounds in the game. Harrison converted on both of her free throw attempts and recorded two steals as well.

Upcoming Games This Week: November 5: ZBL League, CCC Polkovice (4-2) vs. AZS UMCS (4-2); November 9: EuroLeague, CCC Polkowice (0-2) vs. Nadezhda (2-0), Free live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/FIBA at 12:15 p.m. Phoenix time.

Sonja Petrovic | Forward #5 | ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic)

Sonja Petrovic has continued her hot start with USK Praha this season, averaging 21 points, 5.5 rebounds, 3.5 assists and two steals in Praha’s two games this week. The 6-2 forward scored 17 points in just 16 minutes of action in her Czech team’s 102-23 stomping on October 29 to move to 8-0 in ZBL League play. Petrovic then led Praha to a 2-0 start in EuroLeague play on November 2, scoring a game-high 25 points on 69-percent (nine-of-13) shooting, while dishing five assists. Through five overseas games (three ZBL League games and two EuroLeague games) this season, the Serbian is averaging 18.4 points, 6.2 rebounds and 3.0 assists per game, while shooting 61.5-percent (32-of-52) from the field, 61.1-percent (11-of-18) from three-point range and 93.8-percent (15-of-16) from the free throw line.

Upcoming Games This Week: November 5: ZBL League, USK Praha (8-0) vs. MK Technic (1-8); November 9: EuroLeague, USK Praha (2-0) at Mersin (0-2), Free live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/FIBA at 8:30 a.m. Phoenix time.

Marta Xargay | Guard #10 | ZVVZ USK Praha (Czech Republic)

Marta Xargay has also continued having a successful year with USK Praha this season, as the Mercury guard is averaging 13.4 points, 3.4 assists and three steals through five games with the Czech team. Xargay scored just eight points in Praha’s 102-23 win on October 29, but finished with five assists and eight steals in her third ZBL League game. The Spaniard followed up that performance with 15 points, four rebounds and three assists in Praha’s 84-63, EuroLeague, win on November 2. Xargay shot 62.5-percent from the field, including knocking down two of her three three-point attempts.

Upcoming Games This Week: November 5: ZBL League, USK Praha (8-0) vs. MK Technic (1-8); November 9: EuroLeague, USK Praha (2-0) at Mersin (0-2), Free live stream available at https://www.youtube.com/FIBA at 8:30 a.m. Phoenix time.

 

Not Overseas Yet: Diana Taurasi (UMMC Ekaterinburg); Candice Dupree (ZVVZ USK Praha)