How Phoenix's Veal Helped Them Take Down Miami

The 2001 WNBA Draft was a significant year for Australian players. Lauren Jackson was the first pick of the draft, and she went on to have an excellent career. She became a two-time WNBA champion, a three-time Most Valuable Player (MVP) and a seven-time All-Star. After Jackson, the next Australian player to be drafted was Penny Taylor . She was drafted by the Cleveland Rockers, and once the team folded, she was acquired by the Phoenix Mercury. As the old saying goes, the rest is history. She helped them win their three championships, and she is one of four players who have had their jersey retired by Phoenix. A few picks later, the Mercury were on the clock, and they selected another Australian player with that pick. They drafted Kristen Veal, and she went on to play with the Mercury for two seasons. In her first season, Veal was a solid facilitator. She averaged 4.3 assists that year, which ended up being her best. Then, she averaged four points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.1 steals. She played 29 games that year, a