The Phoenix Mercury have a history of discovering hidden gems in the WNBA draft, with several of their second-round picks going on to have successful careers. One such example is Adrian Williams-Strong, who was drafted in 2000 and became an All-Star a few seasons later. Although the Mercury didn't have a first-round pick that year, they managed to secure a skilled player. In the 2002 draft, the Mercury selected Tootie Shaw in the second round, but she didn't play for the team. However, they found success with their 2004 first-round pick, Diana Taurasi, who averaged 18.8 points, 4.2 assists, and 3.9 rebounds in her career. The Mercury also drafted Ashley Robinson in the second round, who spent two seasons with the team and played 34 games. After her time with the Mercury, Robinson played for the Chicago Sky and the Seattle Storm. The Mercury continued to add talent, drafting Angelina Williams and Sandora Irvin in the first and second rounds, respectively, in 2005. They also drafted Liz Shimek and Mistie Bass in the second round, with both players being traded to other teams. While some of these picks didn't play for the Mercury, their journey began with the team, and they went on to have successful careers in the WNBA. So, the Mercury have a history of finding hidden gems in the draft, and their second-round picks have proven to be valuable assets. But here's where it gets controversial... Some fans may argue that the Mercury could have drafted better players in those second rounds. What do you think? Do you agree or disagree with this interpretation? Share your thoughts in the comments!
