NBA NBA D-LEAGUE WNBA FANTASY NBA TV STORE TICKETS HELP
Diana Taurasi and the Mercury play their first 2006 home game on May 25 when they host the Storm.
(WNBA Photos)
Mercury History

When Phoenix became one of eight cities awarded a women's professional basketball team in 1997, the city welcomed the Mercury with open arms. Take a look back with PhoenixMercury.com at all the ups and downs of the franchise's eight-year existence with a special history section, complete with photos, articles, and lists of the all-time records and awards.


Taurasi Named WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year
Mercury guard Diana Taurasi capped off a whirlwind year by being named as the 2004 WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year. Selected by Phoenix with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft weeks after capturing her third NCAA title with Connecticut, Taurasi led all rookies in scoring and led the Mercury to a nine-game improvement over last season's win total.

  • Photos: Taurasi on Tour | 2004 Draft Gallery
  • Mercury Honor Roll

    The Players
    From Monique Ambers to Oksana Zakaluzhanaya and everyone in between, flip through a photo gallery of every player to have donned a Mercury uniform since their inception in 1997.

  • All-Time Roster

    The Numbers
    If you like to crunch, study or compare numbers, then this is the section for you. Take a look at the Mercury's individual, regular-season and playoff records and leaders.

  • Regular Season Records and Leaders
  • Individual Career Playoff Leaders

    The Seasons
    As the Mercury enter their eighth season, journey back to relive all the highs and lows of one of the original WNBA teams.

    Draft History
    Beginning with Michele Timms and Jennifer Gillom in the WNBA's original player allocation of 1997 through their selection of Diana Taurasi with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury have been fortunate to land some of the top talent the women's game has to offer.

    Honoring Michele Timms
    Michele Timms was originally assigned to the Mercury when the WNBA began in 1997. In five seasons in Phoenix, "Timmsy" set the standard for excellence in the organization in retiring as the team's career leader in assists and steals. Her No. 7 is only the second jersey to be retired in the young history of the WNBA.

  • Photos: Michele Timms Gallery

    The Beginning
    On April 24, 1996, women's basketball announced "We Got Next" as the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women's National Basketball Association and play began the next June. Take a look at the how the WNBA has evolved from those beginnings through the league's seven years of existence.

  • History of the WNBA
  • WNBA Timeline


  • Copyright WNBA Enterprises, LLC. | Turner Sports Interactive, All rights reserved. No portion of WNBA.com may be duplicated, redistributed or manipulated in any form. By accessing any information beyond this page, you agree to abide by the WNBA.com Privacy Policy / Your California Privacy Rights and Terms of Use.
    WNBA.COM is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network.
    Advertise on NBA.com | Career Opportunities | Help
    NBA NBA D-LEAGUE WNBA FANTASY NBA TV STORE TICKETS HELP