PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury and two-time champion forward DeWanna Bonner released the following statements today:

Bonner: “I am so happy to announce that I’m expecting. I have always wanted a family and I have looked forward to this chapter of my life. While I am disappointed to miss the 2017 season with my Mercury family, this was the right decision for me right now. Don’t worry, X-Factor, I will still be around this summer, and I will be back and better than ever in 2018!”

Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman and Head Coach Sandy Brondello: “We are so happy for DB. Of course she will be missed, but we will support her in any way that we can and we are excited to be adding to the X-Factor. We also appreciate how open DeWanna has been recently about this possibility in order to help us plan to put the best team on the floor in 2017. She is one of the best players in the WNBA and we look forward to her return in 2018 and to having her as a member of the Mercury for years to come.”

Originally the fifth overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Mercury, Bonner is a two-time WNBA Champion who has spent her entire eight-year career in Phoenix. One of the league’s most talented players at both ends of the floor, she is a former All-Star, All-WNBA First Team selection, ESPY Finalist as the WNBA’s best player, and a three-time winner of the league’s Sixth Woman of the Year Award.