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When Phoenix became one of eight cities awarded a women's professional basketball team in 1997, the city welcomed the Mercury with open arms. Take a look back with PhoenixMercury.com at all the ups and downs of the franchise's eight-year existence with a special history section, complete with photos, articles, and lists of the all-time records and awards.
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Mercury Honored at Ring Ceremony
The Mercury celebrated their 2008 Season Opener in style on May 17, receiving their championship rings just before tipping off against Lisa Leslie, Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks. Diana Taurasi and Cappie Pondexter addressed the crowd and helped unveil their 2007 WNBA Championship banner.
Mercury Celebrate First-Ever WNBA Championship
In 2007, the Phoenix Mercury celebrated their first-ever WNBA Championship when they defeated the Detroit Shock in a thrilling five-game series. Guard Cappie Pondexter was named the series MVP.
Taurasi Named WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year
Mercury guard Diana Taurasi capped off a whirlwind year by being named as the 2004 WNBA Rookie-of-the-Year. Selected by Phoenix with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft weeks after capturing her third NCAA title with Connecticut, Taurasi led all rookies in scoring and led the Mercury to a nine-game improvement over last season's win total.
The Players
From Monique Ambers to Oksana Zakaluzhanaya and everyone in between, flip through a photo gallery of every player to have donned a Mercury uniform since their inception in 1997.
The Numbers
If you like to crunch, study or compare numbers, then this is the section for you. Take a look at the Mercury's individual, regular-season and playoff records and leaders.
The Seasons
As the Mercury enter their eighth season, journey back to relive all the highs and lows of one of the original WNBA teams.
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Beginning with Michele Timms and Jennifer Gillom in the WNBA's original player allocation of 1997 through their selection of Diana Taurasi with the first overall pick in the 2004 WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury have been fortunate to land some of the top talent the women's game has to offer.
Honoring Michele Timms
Michele Timms was originally assigned to the Mercury when the WNBA began in 1997. In five seasons in Phoenix, "Timmsy" set the standard for excellence in the organization in retiring as the team's career leader in assists and steals. Her No. 7 is only the second jersey to be retired in the young history of the WNBA.
The Beginning
On April 24, 1996, women's basketball announced "We Got Next" as the NBA Board of Governors approved the concept of a Women's National Basketball Association and play began the next June. Take a look at the how the WNBA has evolved from those beginnings through the league's seven years of existence.