Season-long program empowers young female athletes in the community through on and off court experiences
PHOENIX – Last night during the third quarter of the Phoenix Mercury’s home game against the Seattle Storm, the three-time WNBA Champions announced the varsity girls basketball team from The Academies at South Mountain (formerly South Mountain High School) as the Mercury’s Adopt-A-Team for the 2023 season.
Entering its 14th season, and the first since the COVID pandemic, Adopt-A-Team is a mentorship program designed to enrich the lives of young female athletes from Title 1 schools in Arizona through various activities and events on and off the basketball court. The initiative provides the selected team with much-needed equipment, aims to prepare students for life after high school and promotes a healthy lifestyle. The program offers the team the opportunity to attend games, participate in private basketball clinics with Mercury players and coaches and be included in volunteer opportunities throughout the summer.
Phoenix Mercury President Vince Kozar said, “The Adopt-A-Team program strengthens the bond between the Mercury and our community, especially with young women in the Valley playing the sport we all love. I’m excited for the return of this impactful program and to provide these athletes with one-of-a-kind opportunities and experiences this summer. While it’s not the same group, I’m also gratified we’ll able to give this experience to The Academies at South Mountain, who was the school we selected in 2020 but who never got to receive the full in-person benefits of the program at games and in the community. Welcome to the Mercury family, Jaguars.”
The Academies of South Mountain was selected as the Adopt-A-Team recipient ahead of the 2020 WNBA season, which was eventually moved to a bubble format in Bradenton, Florida. As a result, South Mountain’s participation was strictly virtual and did not have the in-person experiences and team building that make this program transformative. Now that the Adopt-A-Team program is back for the 2023 season, this is an opportunity to restore that experience for a new group of South Mountain students.
South Mountain varsity girls head coach Bryan Willingham said, “It is a great day to be a South Mountain Jaguar. We are so excited about the opportunity to bring The Mercury to The Mountain. The Mercury is one of the pioneer programs in the WNBA and has a championship culture that goes well beyond the court into the community. That is exactly what we want to provide for our players here at South.”
The Academies at South Mountain competes in the 5A division and is a part of the Phoenix Union High School District. The school empowers students through career exposure in various educational programs that help shape informed decisions and discover students’ true passions. The school collaborates with business and community partners to provide authentic work-based learning opportunities.
Previous Mercury Adopt-A-Teams:
The Academies at South Mountain (2023)
The Academies at South Mountain (2020)
Poston Butte High School (2019)
Washington High School (2018)
Greenway High School (2017)
Coronado High School (2016)
Salt River High School (2015)
Trevor Browne High School (2014)
Central High School (2013)
North High School (2012)
Cesar Chavez High School (2011)
Maryvale High School (2010)
Carl Hayden High School (2009)
Camelback High School (2008)
Help the Mercury send Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Sophie Cunningham to the 2023 WNBA All-Star Game in Las Vegas, vote daily at Vote.WNBA.com now through June 21. Follow along @PhoenixMercury on Twitter for the latest news and updates on the team.