How An Early Mercury Player Began Her Coaching Career

Tia Jackson was one of the Phoenix Mercury's early players. She was a part of the inaugural season, and the Mercury drafted her in the 1997 WNBA Draft, and she was the first pick of the second round. Before that, the Mercury drafted Toni Foster in the first round. Jackson played 26 games that year, and she started in six of them. She averaged 2.8 points, 2.2 rebounds and an assist. Jackson was waived by the Mercury in 1998, and after that, she did not play for another team. The Mercury forward began her coaching journey, and she was an assistant with VCU. She was with them in 2006, and she stayed with them until 1999. After that, she was a part of Stanford's staff. Jackson continued her journey, and after spending time as an assistant with UCLA and Duke, she became the head coach of Washington. Jackson coached them for four seasons, and in her first year, the team finished the year with a record of 13-18. Her team regressed after that, as they finished the season with a record of 8-22. Washington improved th