Mercury to Retire #7

Timms

Phoenix, AZ, July 30 - The Phoenix Mercury will honor former player and current assistant coach Michele Timms by retiring her jersey #7 on Wednesday, August 7 when the Mercury host the Cleveland Rockers at America West Arena at 7 p.m.

In five years wearing the Mercury #7, "Timmsy" retired as the club's leader in career assists (551), assists per game (4.8), assists in a single season (158), career steals (188) and steals in a single season (71). The always electric Timms began her pro career in 1984 in her native Australia and has since traveled the globe pursuing her dream. She played the final game of her illustrious career on August 14, 2001 at America West Arena where the Mercury defeated the Houston Comets by 18 points.

Timms returned to the Mercury organization this summer as a color commentator aside play-by-play man Kevin Ray on ESPN 860AM. Timms also stepped in for the assist with Tom Leander for Mercury broadcasts on Cox 9. With the resignation of Cynthia Cooper on June 26, Timms made the move from press row to the sidelines.

The retiring of Timms' jersey is just the second time in WNBA history that a number has been retired. The Houston Comets retired the #10 on July 29, 2000 after the tragic loss of point guard Kim Perrot. Timms is the third America West Arena athlete to have the #7 retired. The Phoenix Suns (NBA) retired Kevin Johnson's #7 on March 7, 2002 while the Arizona Rattlers (AFL) retired the #7 in 1998 after the devastating loss of wide receiver/defensive back Milton Vaughn.

Tickets for all Mercury home games start at $8 and can be purchased by visiting the America West Arena Box Office, all TicketMaster outlets or on-line at www.phoenixmercury.com