High Post Hoops
Fansided

Phoenix Mercury sign Leilani Mitchell to multi-year contract extension

By Ben Dull

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Leilani Mitchell #5 of the Phoenix Mercury drives the ball against Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of semifinal game three of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on September 17, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Sparks defeated the Mercury 89-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 17: Leilani Mitchell #5 of the Phoenix Mercury drives the ball against Nneka Ogwumike #30 of the Los Angeles Sparks during the first half of semifinal game three of the 2017 WNBA Playoffs at Talking Stick Resort Arena on September 17, 2017 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Sparks defeated the Mercury 89-87. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

The Phoenix Mercury announced Thursday evening that they have signed point guard Leilani Mitchell to a multi-year contract extension through the 2020 season.

Mitchell started all five playoff games for the Mercury last season. She was inserted into the starting lineup late in the regular season along with Yvonne Turner to flank Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Camille Little.

“Lei adds so much to our team and we are very happy to sign her to an extension today,” general manager Jim Pitman said in a team release.  “She’s a great shooter, can really create for others and she competes every possession on both ends of the court.  She is an important part of our core this year and beyond.”

Mitchell knocked down the dagger three-pointer from the left corner to ice their first round playoff victory over the Seattle Storm.

Related Story: Mercury set to open 2018 training camp

Phoenix selected Mitchell with the 25th overall pick in the third round of the 2008 WNBA Draft. The New York Liberty acquired her in a trade prior to the start of that season in exchange for their 2009 third round pick.

The 5’5 sharpshooter missed the 2014 season to join the Australian National Team in preparation for the FIBA World Championships. Mitchell signed with the Mercury the following year as a free agent, spent 2016 with the Washington Mystics, then returned to the desert for the 2017 season.

Mitchell is a career 39.5 percent three-point shooter and has posted a positive assist-to-turnover ratio in all nine of her seasons as a pro.

The Mercury acquired point guard Briann January from the Indiana Fever last month in exchange for the eighth overall pick in this year’s draft. January, a six-time All-Defense selection, was a key contributor to Indiana’s championship run in 2012.

In just over a year, the Mercury have added a great deal of depth at that position after completely overhauling their roster around Taurasi and Griner as DeWanna Bonner missed the 2017 season on maternity leave. Turner, too, has impressed this offseason as the lead guard for Sopron Basket in the EuroLeague.

Though Taurasi is entering her 14th season, she’s fresher than ever having taken extra time this offseason to both rest and prepare for the 2018 season.

Next: Live from day 2 of Mercury training camp

Now with Mitchell in tow for the foreseeable future, the Mercury have plenty of capable ball handlers to run the offense and complement Griner, the league’s leading scorer in 2017, even when Taurasi is given the occasional night off to rest.

Home/Phoenix Mercury