Phoenix Finds International Talent In 2004

The Phoenix Mercury finished the 2003 season with a record of 8-26, and because of their poor performance, they ended up winning the WNBA Draft Lottery. That was the first time the Mercury received the first pick of a draft, and they added a special player as a result. Phoenix drafted Diana Taurasi, and she had a successful rookie season. She became the first Mercury player to win Rookie of the Year, and she remains the only Phoenix player to do so. Phoenix finished the season with a record of 17-17, and on top of Taurasi, the Mercury added another star. After the Cleveland Rockers folded, the team's players were a part of a dispersal draft. The first Rockers player drafted was Penny Taylor, and she is from Australia. She went on to have a strong first season with the Mercury, as she averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.5 steals. Outside of Taylor, the Mercury had a few more international players . Jae Kingi-Cross came to Phoenix, and she was born in New Zealand. She played in the Women's Na