About Cheryl Miller
Basketball legend and Hall-of-Famer Cheryl Miller became the first head coach and general manager of the Phoenix Mercury on January 27, 1997. Miller would go on to coach the Mercury for four seasons, leading the team to three playoff appearances and a trip to the 1998 WNBA Finals.
In Miller’s four seasons (1997-2000) at the helm, she led the Mercury to a 70-52 regular season record, laying the foundation for what would become one of the league’s most successful franchises. Miller is credited with coining “the X-Factor”, a nickname for the Mercury’s loyal and passionate fanbase.
In the league’s inaugural season, Miller guided Phoenix to the team’s first Western Conference regular season title and playoff berth. The Mercury would post two of the top five winning percentages in the team’s history under Miller, going 19-11 (.633) in 1998 and 20-12 (.625) in 2000.
A 1984 USA Olympic gold medalist and one of the most decorated women’s basketball players of all time, Cheryl Miller is in the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame (1995), the Women’s Basketball Hall of Fame (1999), the FIBA Hall of Fame (2010) and the International Women’s Sports Hall of Fame (1999).
On June 6, 2006, Miller joined Jennifer Gillom, Bridget Pettis and Michele Timms as the first inductees into the Mercury’s Ring of Honor.
Career Awards and Accolades
NAISMITH MEMORIAL BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME – 1995
WOMEN’S BASKETBALL HALL OF FAME – 1999
FIBA HALL OF FAME – 2010
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN’S SPORTS HALL OF FAME – 1999
USA OLYMPIC GOLD MEDALIST – 1984
SELECT A RING OF HONOR MEMBER BELOW
The legacies of the Phoenix Mercury legends live here. The Ring of Honor recognizes former players and coaches who have played integral roles in the history of our franchise. From clutch shots to iconic plays to championships, and helping to build the most loyal fan base in sports – we pay homage to the rich history they created. We are reminded of their greatness everyday we look into the rafters where their names and numbers will hang permanently.
