Despite Mercury’s struggles, Megan Gustafson channeled a career high season

During her second season with the Phoenix Mercury, Megan Gustafson had a breakout, career-best season granted the Mercury’s struggles.

“I think it’s been a really good year for me in terms of being able to break out and show what I can do,” Gustafson said. “I just want to thank the Mercury organization for allowing me to have an opportunity to get consistent minutes not he floor to show that I belong here.”

The 26-year-old off of the bench for the Mercury achieved a career-high average of 7.9 points and 3.9 rebounds per game in 34 showings for the Mercury with four starts.

Before her professional career, Gustafson spent four years playing for the University of Iowa where she averaged an impressive 20.8 points per game, adding 1.1 assists and 10.8 rebounds.

During her senior year with the Hawks, she had a career showing for the squad, averaging 27.8 points per game, 13.4 rebounds and 1.7 assists.

A second round pick in the 2019 draft, Gustafson was selected by the Dallas Wings where she spent two years, averaging 2.5 points per game, 2.1 rebounds and shot a career high 90% from he free throw line.

The young star knows plenty about being bounced around the league and playing for other franchises. It is still unknown where Gustafson will end up next year, but with the impressive season that she pulled together off of the bench for the Mercury, there is no doubt that she will be a hot-comrade in the offseason.

“I think I’ve had a pretty decent year, so I don’t know, I can’t speak for the other teams but I would think (other teams would have interest in me),” Gustafson said. “Again, I love it here, I just got to keep seeing what my options are, so I’m going to stay open to all options. ”

In 2021 she was waived by the Wings and moved on to sign a contract with the Washington Mystics. She was signed to several seven day contracts with Mystics before signing an official contract with them late into the 2021 season. She signed with the Mercury after being waived by the Mystics shortly before the start of the 2022 season.

In a season plagued by injury and sidelined players, Gustafson was no exception. She was placed into health and safety protocols in late August and has been dealing with chronic plantar fasciitis all season long.

“(For) everyone (to) get healthy and have really good offseasons,” said Gustafson about her team goals in the offseason. “Hopefully I’ll be able to be back here, I don’t know what the future holds, but (I’m) just excited to see what happens.”

If Gustafson does find herself back in Phoenix next season, there is a high chance that She could end up playing alongside fellow Hawk Caitlyn Clark, given the team’s projected high lottery pick going into the 2024 WNBA Draft.

“I love the Hawks, so I think that would be really fun to be able to play with her,” Gustafson said.