Mercury Acquire Eighth Pick in 2004 Draft; Trade Jackson to Mystics

Phoenix, Ariz., March 25 -- The Phoenix Mercury announced that they have acquired the eighth pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft from the Connecticut Sun via a three-team trade involving Connecticut and the Washington Mystics. The trade began with the Mercury sending point guard Tamicha Jackson to Washington, the Mystics sending Asjha Jones to Connecticut and the Sun dealing the eighth pick in the 2004 Draft to Phoenix.

Phoenix now holds the No. 1 and No. 8 picks in the first round as well as the No. 14 overall (second round) and No. 27 overall (third round) in the college draft. The 2004 WNBA Draft will be held Saturday, April 17 beginning at 9 a.m. Phoenix Time. The first round of the Draft will be carried live on ESPN while rounds two and three will be broadcast on NBA TV.

“Last season was certainly a season of transition for us. Although we didn't ’t have the

"By obtaining another first round pick we have given ourselves the opportunity to add even more talent to the team." -- Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka

talent other teams in the West had, we played hard and competed every night and Tamicha was a big part of that,” said Mercury General Manager Seth Sulka. “By obtaining another first round pick we have given ourselves the opportunity to add even more talent to the team.”

In her first season with the Mercury, Jackson averaged 8.8 points and 4.3 assists per game and was the only player on the roster to start all 34 games. Originally selected by the Detroit Shock with the eighth overall pick in 2000 WNBA Draft, Jackson was traded to the Portland Fire in 2001 and was then acquired by the Mercury in the 2003 WNBA Dispersal Draft. Throughout her four-year WNBA career, the 2000 Louisiana Tech grad boasts averages of 7.5 points and 2.8 assists per game.

The Mercury begin the 2004 season at home on Thursday, May 20 when they host the Sacramento Monarchs at 7 p.m. inside America West Arena. Mercury fans have the opportunity to see their favorite WNBA team in action through all 17 regular season home games this summer with the purchase of a full season ticket plan. Season tickets are available in variety of packages to fit even the busiest summer schedule. For information on Mercury season tickets, call (602)-379-7878.