PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today announced the addition of WNBA veteran Tully Bevilaqua as an assistant coach ahead of the 2023 WNBA season. Bevilaqua joins returners Nikki Blue and Cinnamon Lister on head coach Vanessa Nygaard’s staff.
Originally an undrafted free agent from Merredin, Western Australia, Bevilaqua began her WNBA career in 1998, playing 14 seasons with the Cleveland Rockers (1998), Portland Fire (2000-2002), Seattle Storm (2003-2004), Indiana Fever (2005-2010) and San Antonio Silver Stars (2011-12). Bevilaqua, who was a teammate of Nygaard’s while with Portland, made two WNBA Finals appearances with the Seattle Storm (2004) and Indiana Fever (2009) and won a championship in 2004. She was the 2007 winner of the WNBA’s Kim Perrot Sportsmanship Award, presented each season to a player who exemplifies the ideals of sportsmanship on the court, including ethical behavior, fair play and integrity.
Mercury Head Coach Vanessa Nygaard: “We are excited to add Tully Bevilaqua to our coaching staff. Her vast experience, championship pedigree, tremendous work ethic and relentless positivity will be excellent assets to our entire organization.”
Bevilaqua’s growing resume outside of playing includes three seasons as an assistant and player development coach for the Indiana Fever (2017-2019) and as the head coach of Mainland Pouakai in the WNBL New Zealand. She has also served multiple seasons as the color analyst for Fever television broadcasts, beginning in 2014.
A longtime member of the Australian Women’s National Team (the Opals), Bevilaqua was a teammate of Mercury legend Penny Taylor for both the nation’s gold medal win in the 2006 World Championships and their silver medal at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. As a pro in Australia’s Women’s National Basketball League (WNBL), Bevilaqua was a three-time Champion, winning in 2002 with the Perth Breakers and twice with the Canberra Capitals in 2006 and 2007. She was named the WNBL Defensive Player of the Year four times in her esteemed career (1995, 1996, 1997 and 1999).
The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury return to Footprint Center this summer, tipping off the season on Sunday, May 21 against the Chicago Sky in the Fry’s Food Stores Welcome Home Opener. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. Tickets for Opening Day are available now at PhoenixMercury.com/Tickets.