Two-time WNBA All Star headed back to Phoenix
The Phoenix Mercury head into the April 10 draft with three picks, but the story for now is who will be returning. The Mercury announced that they have come to terms with starting forward DeWanna Bonner.
The team had made it clear that they planned to retain the All Star when they designated her as a core player. As a member of the “big three” in the Mercury line-up, she fits the description in more ways than mere contract terms.
Bonner was the third-leading scorer and second-leading rebounder on the team last season while starting all 34 games. Along with Brittney Griner, she was the only member of the squad to appear in every contest.
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The former WNBA Sixth Woman of the Year averaged 17.3 points per game while also securing 7.2 boards. That was good enough to rank No. 13 in the league in points per game and No. 11 in rebounds.
Bonner led the team in steals with 1.3 per game. She was also responsible for 3.2 assists per contest with a 2-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio.
After coming to terms with Bonner, Phoenix can now proceed knowing that all five starters from last year’s team will return. That group saw its season end in the semifinals against the Seattle Storm.
Bonner spent the WNBA’s off-season playing for the Shandong Golden Stars of the Women’s Chinese Basketball Association.
Phoenix chooses eighth, thirteenth and 32nd in this year’s draft, giving them a chance to add youth to a core that most expect to contend for a championship once more.
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