Four-time WNBA All-Star Kahleah Copper and two-time champion DeWanna Bonner re-signed Sunday with the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced.
Copper’s deal is for two years, a source told ESPN’s Kendra Andrews.
“Kahleah is a true leader, on and off the court, one of the most explosive athletes in our game and competes with a relentless edge and toughness,” Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said in a statement. “Her impact on both ends of the court and ability to deliver in the biggest moments make her truly special.”
The 6-foot-1 guard averaged 15.6 points and 2.9 rebounds during the regular season. She increased her production in the playoffs, averaging 17.8 points en route to the WNBA Finals.
It was Copper’s second season with the Mercury but first with the newly formed big three of herself, Satou Sabally and Alyssa Thomas.
Copper sat out the first month of the season (16 games) because of injury but upon her return proved to be the centerpiece for Phoenix’s scoring.
Copper, 31, won a title in 2021 with the Chicago Sky, where she played for seven seasons.
Bonner, 38, is the third-leading scorer in league history (7,807), eighth in career rebounds (3,204) and third in games played (535). She is a six-time All-Star and was named Sixth Player of the Year three times.
“Having DeWanna back in a Mercury uniform is incredibly meaningful to our organization,” U’Ren said in the statement. “She brings a championship mindset, elite skillset and the kind of leadership that defines winning teams.”
The 16-year veteran started last season with the Indiana Fever before signing a one-year contract with the Mercury.
Bonner appeared in only nine games with the Fever and recorded career lows in points and rebounds. She sat out five games for personal reasons before being waived.
Bonner eventually reunited with her fiancée, Thomas, in Phoenix, where she played from 2009 to 2019 and won two championships.
Through 24 games last season for the Mercury, Bonner averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists.
The Mercury also re-signed veteran guard Sami Whitcomb on Sunday. She played in 43 games for Phoenix last season with 20 starts and contributed a team-high 86 3-pointers while averaging 9.1 points, 2.6 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 0.8 steals. She won WNBA titles with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020.
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