Mercury Owns Three Selections in 2019 WNBA Draft

The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury will make three selections in Wednesday’s 2019 WNBA Draft presented by State Farm at the Nike New York Headquarters.  First round coverage of the draft will air on ESPN2 at 4 p.m. Phoenix time, while ESPNU will provide coverage of the second and third rounds beginning at 5 p.m.  The draft will also be available on the ESPN app.

Phoenix owns the 8th overall selection (first round) in Wednesday night’s draft, along with the first pick in the second round (13th overall) and one third round selection (32nd overall).  The Mercury acquired its 13th overall pick in this year’s draft from the Indiana Fever, via Las Vegas, after completing a sign-and-trade deal with the Aces involving forward Kelsey Bone on February 2, 2018.

This year’s draft will mark the fifth time in franchise history the Mercury will select 8th overall, after also holding such pick in the 1997, 1998, 2004 and 2016 WNBA drafts.  Should Phoenix keep its second round pick, it will mark the highest selection by the Mercury in the second round since the league increased to 12 teams prior to the 1999 season.  Notable 13th-overall picks in previous WNBA drafts include 2014 WNBA All-Star and 2018 WNBA All-Defensive First Team selection Jessica Breland (2011 draft) and 2015 WNBA All-Star Alex Bentley (2013 draft).

Overseeing the Mercury’s draft from the team’s headquarters in Talking Stick Resort Arena for the sixth-straight year will be General ManagerJim Pitman.  Also on site in the team’s war room will be Head Coach Sandy Brondello.

After coming within one win of a trip to the WNBA Finals, the Phoenix Mercury return in 2019 in search of a league-record tying fourth WNBA title.  Led by the All-Star trio of Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and DeWanna Bonner, Phoenix opens its title quest on May 25 at Seattle on ABC.  Tickets for Fry’s Food Stores Opening Night on Friday, May 31, at Talking Stick Resort Arena can be purchased by calling 602.252.WNBA or by visiting PhoenixMercury.com.