The Phoenix Mercury have acquired point guard Briann January from the Indiana Fever in exchange for their 2018 first round draft pick.
January has spent all nine seasons of her career with the Fever after being selected by the club with the sixth overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft. January starred collegiately at Arizona State, where she now serves as an assistant coach on Charli Turner Thorne’s staff.
January was a big part of the Fever’s 2012 championship season, also appearing in the Finals with Indiana in 2009 and 2015.
January is a six-time WNBA All-Defense selection, earning that honor in each season since 2012. She also earned an All-Star nod in 2014.
More from High Post Hoops
- Bet $5 on Sparks vs. Sky, Win $150 Instantly with Limited-Time DraftKings Promo
- Cash in for Over $2,000 With WNBA Promo Bonuses from FanDuel & Caesars
- FanDuel WNBA Promo Code Gives You $2,500 Bonus for ANY Game Tonight!
- Unlock $200 GUARANTEED With Crazy DraftKings WNBA Promo
- Unlock Over $4,500 Bonus With 3 Best WNBA Sportsbook Promos!
Phoenix general manager Jim Pitman said the following in a statement on Tuesday:
"Briann is a difference-maker in our league. We’ve seen her have success guarding the best-scoring guards and wings on the biggest stage, and we’ve seen her run a team as an All-Star-caliber point guard. We are excited to add perhaps the best women’s player in the history of Arizona State University to our roster."
January played in 25 games last season for the Fever before suffering a torn meniscus.
Earlier today, the Mercury dealt point guard Danielle Robinson and a 2019 second round pick to the Minnesota Lynx in exchange for the 12th overall pick in the upcoming draft.
Minnesota Lynx acquire Danielle Robinson from Phoenix Mercury
The Minnesota Lynx acquired Danielle Robinson and a 2019 second round pick Tuesday in exchange for their first round pick in the 2017 WNBA Draft.
Robinson started 29 games for the Mercury last season. Leilani Mitchell emerged as the starter late in the regular season and throughout the playoffs. Mitchell is under contract for the 2018 season with the Mercury.
If Phoenix is done dealing, they’ll enter the 2018 season with two solid two-way options at point guard suited to play alongside Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.