PHOENIX – The three-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury today announced the
hiring of Mercury legend Penny Tayloras the team’s Director of Player
Development and Performance. Taylor, a member of all three Mercury championship
teams, steps into her new role following a 13-season WNBA playing career, 10 of
which were spent in Phoenix.
“As we have always tried to make clear, our organization owes a great deal to
Penny Taylor and our hope was that her post-playing career would keep her here,
as well,” said Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman. “After playing her final
season in 2016, it was important that she took time to consider the next stage
of her career, and we couldn’t be happier that she has decided to join our
basketball staff in this newly-created player development role. Who better to
learn from than a WNBA Champion, an Olympian, a World Champion, an All-Star, and
one of the best people you’ll ever meet? We will always have a place in our
organization for Penny.”
Taylor said, “I could not be more excited and enthusiastic to be able to remain
a part of the team and club that has given me so much. I look forward to working
with these great players and coaches, and striving to achieve our individual and
team goals. See you soon, X-Factor!”
As Director of Player Development and Performance, Taylor will oversee the
on-court development and skill-training of Mercury players, and work in concert
with head coach Sandy Brondello and assistant coaches Julie Hairgrove and Todd
Troxel. Taylor’s on-court work will begin with the Mercury’s 2017 training camp
this April.
The most pivotal offseason in Mercury history came in 2004 when the Mercury won
the WNBA draft lottery and the rights to draft Diana Taurasi, and by virtue of
record owned the top overall pick in the Cleveland dispersal draft, which
Phoenix used on Taylor. Taylor and Taurasi are the only players who were members
of all three Mercury championship squads. In Taylor’s 10-season career in
Phoenix, she was a three-time All-Star, a two time-time All-WNBA First Team
selection, a three-time Olympian, and a two-time Olympic silver medalist for
Australia. Taylor finished her playing days having appeared in the third-most
games in franchise history, and ranked third in scoring, second in both assists
and steals, and fourth in rebounds.
