The Phoenix Mercury will look a lot different than years past when the season starts in the next few months. Diana Taurasi announced that she’d be retiring after playing for the Mercury for 20 seasons. To add to that, Brittney Griner decided to sign with the Atlanta Dream in free agency after spending her entire career with the Mercury.
Though the team may look different, they’ll still be competitive as they added some reinforcements in free agency, such as Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas, who are former All-Stars in their own right. The Mercury aren’t done adding talent, and on Tuesday, they announced the signing of a former top-10 pick to a training camp contract.
Guard Shyla Heal was signed to a training camp contract for Mercury, as well as Monique Akoa Makani and Alexis Prince. Heal was selected with the No. 8 pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft by the Chicago Sky, appearing in only four games her rookie season.
Last season, Heal played with Tarsus Belediyesi Mersin in Turkey, where she averaged 17.6 points, 3.2 rebounds, and 4.1 assists through 22 games. She also won a bronze medal with the Opals at the 2023 FIBA Asia Cup.
The Mercury will start their season at home on May 17 against the Seattle Storm.
Related: Mercury Coach Doesn’t Hold Back on Diana Taurasi’s Possible Final Game
