Phoenix, AZ, Feb 11 -- The Phoenix Mercury announced today that they have signed restricted free-agent DeMya Walker to an offer sheet. Walker is a five year veteran of the WNBA, spending two seasons with the Monarchs (2003, 2004) and three with the former Portland Fire. Under league rules, Sacramento has 10 days to match the Mercury’s offer.

“We want to bolster our post play this off-season and DeMya Walker is one of the top post players in the league” said Mercury general manager Seth Sulka.

Walker was the fifth overall pick in the 2003 WNBA dispersal draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. During the 2004 season she averaged 8.4 ppg, 4.2 rpg and 2.5 apg in 34 games. Walker’s career highs in points is 21 (achieved two times), rebounds 14 (vs. Orlando 6/26/2002), and blocks 4 (at Phoenix 7/21/2002). Walker is a 1999 graduate out of the University of Virginia where she holds the record for blocked shots in a season (95) and career (247). Over her college career DeMya averaged 13.0 ppg and 6.9 rpg. Walker was assigned to the Minnesota Lynx in 1999 and later picked up as a free agent by the Portland Fire on May 1, 2000. In Walker’s five year WNBA career she has averaged 7.6 ppg, 3.7 rpg and 1.4 apg. In 2002, with the Portland Fire, Walker had her best season statistically averaging 10.9 ppg, 5.0 rpg and 1.06 bpg.