Mercury legend DeWanna Bonner ‘loves it here’ in Phoenix, ‘can’t wait’ to compete in 2024 WNBA All-Star Game

From 2009-19, Connecticut Sun superstar DeWanna Bonner called Phoenix home with the Mercury, and was able to bring two WNBA championships to the Valley.

Alongside legends like Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, Bonner made a name for herself as she quickly became a fan favorite. She won the WNBA 6th Woman of the Year Award consecutively in her first three seasons, was in the race for WNBA MVP five times and was a three-time All-Star while on the Mercury.

Being able to score from wherever she chose to shoot from and snatching almost every rebound she could, the 6-foot-4 forward was a cornerstone that Phoenix basketball fans will always keep in their memories.

After a decade in Arizona, the Mercury eventually traded Bonner to the Sun in exchange for three first-round picks on Feb. 11, 2020. Since then, the Alabama native has played five seasons (2020-24) for Connecticut and has averaged 16.3 points, 6.0 rebounds and 2.6 assists per game, leading to the Sun being known as one of the more dominant forces in the WNBA in recent years.

While she is in a different situation with another team, Bonner always keeps a special place in her heart for Phoenix and embraces what the city has done for her and the love she received.

“I love it here,” Bonner said. “This was home for me for 10 years and it is literally where I grew up right out of college. I was at the pool for five hours the other day and they (other All-Stars) were like, ‘How are you out here, how are you out here?’ I was like I love it, this is great. Just being back in the atmosphere, the town and the fans, I can’t wait for the game and receive all of the love. This is my first time back not for a [regular season] game and being able to enjoy. I love the sun, I miss it.”

With all of the festivities about to kick off, Bonner will play with and against the best of the best players in the WNBA in front of celebrities and famous figures who want to witness the talent that the league possesses.

Amongst those who she will meet and greet, Bonner is gracious to have the opportunity to be coached by women’s basketball pioneer and Mercury icon Cheryl Miller, a person Bonner respects so highly.

“It’s super cool, just to be in the same gym as her and being on the same sideline is an honor in itself because of her,” Bonner said. “She started this and I can’t wait to get pictures with her afterward and after the game. Just to be in her presence, she is the  GOAT of this thing and she drives this train. I am super thankful to be able to be coached by her even if it is an All-Star Game. So thankful to cross paths.”

Bonner and Miller will work together as they are both a part of Team WNBA which will go up against the USA Basketball Women’s National Team in the All-Star Game.

Having the opportunity to not only be an All-Star again but to do it in her old stomping grounds will never be forgotten.

Loving the Mercury fanbase when they were on her side and even entering Footprint Center as an opponent, Bonner knows that when basketball is being played in Phoenix, the fans will show up and show out.

“You can see it,” Bonner said. “The fanbase is insane, like it’s crazy. Last year they didn’t have the best season, but we came here and it was almost sold out. The fans still came out and supported. They still love it and that has never wavered in Phoenix. Even in the trying years, they are still here and it is still in the air. There is always a basketball buzz when you come to Phoenix, they are going to play their best here when they are at home. It is so hard to win here because they play so hard for their crowd, that’s been here since Day 1 and I don’t ever see that changing, I just see it getting better and better, especially where women’s basketball is. Phoenix has always been a blueprint for that.”