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Phoenix Mercury head coach Corey Gaines speaks to Doug and Wolf during their fifth annual Newsmakers Week on Arizona Sports 620. (Photo: Vince Marotta/Arizona Sports)
listen Listen: Amber Cox, President & COO of the Phoenix Mercury, Corey Gaines, Head Coach
Cox and Gaines come to the studio to talk about the promise of the Phoenix Mercury team.

The Phoenix Mercury, who are just four years removed from winning their second WNBA Championship, find themselves in a very enviable position.

After an injury-plagued and frankly forgettable 2012 season during which they posted a 7-27 record, superstars Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor are expected to return from ailments.

But more importantly, the Mercury won the WNBA Draft Lottery last September -- meaning they hold the first overall draft pick in one of the deepest and best drafts in league history.

"We're super excited about it," Mercury president and COO Amber Cox told Doug and Wolf Wednesday as part of Newsmakers Week. "There's a lot of buzz in the WNBA and nationally with the players involved in this draft, one being Brittney Griner with Baylor, a 6-foot-8 center -- she's the dunking phenom and there's also Skylar Diggins who's with Notre Dame."

So, who will the Mercury select with their pick? Cox and head coach Corey Gaines, who also visited the studio, stopped just short of making the announcement.

"We'll say we're looking for a player who will make a big impact in the WNBA, or let's go all out, the world, and someone who is capable of dunking a basketball," Gaines said. "Someone who has broken records in her conference and someone who will change the game."

Cox was quick to chime in. "Tune in April 15th is what Corey is saying to you in other words," she said.

Even with Diggins and Delaware's high-scoring forward Elena Della Donne available in the upcoming draft, most believe that the Mercury would be foolish to pass up on Griner, who is a game-changer on both ends of the floor.

The Baylor senior is averaging 22.0 points and 8.5 rebounds per game for the top-ranked team in the country. She's also blocked 94 shots and became the NCAA's all-time leader in that category earlier this year.

Regardless of who they take, Cox feels that Griner -- along with Diggins and Delle Donne -- will have a huge impact on the women's pro game for years to come.

"Every major sport has had a tipping point," she said. "I really think we're on the verge of it in the WNBA with this draft class."

Vince Marotta, Web Content Editor - ArizonaSports.com

3 Comments   |   Join the conversation »
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    mesa mad man wrote...
    Spurs
    Sort of reminiscent of the spurs tanking the season Robinson got hurt and drafting Duncan to set them up for a long time.
  • Abuse
    esc R. wrote...
    To bad
    the suns could not take a page out of the mercury's book of success. Two championships and landing the top pick in the right year. Just like mesa mad man said about the spurs. Sarver and the suns rather settle for mediocrity and "just" make the playoffs instead of rebuilding a strong team. They said they thought this year’s team was good enough to make the playoffs. This team is senile. Good for the merc. I wish them luck even thought I dont want the wnba.
  • Abuse
    rusty1325 wrote...
    would be nice
    the wnba gets no respect because honestly they do not put a good show on for the fans.but every once and a while there is a athlete that can change that and i believe griner is one of them. i have watch 1 game on tv in the past 4 years and i did like watching Taurasi play but could not see me watching many more but i can honestly say i would plan a trip to Phoenix to watch griner play.
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