WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury Acquires Guard/Forward Sidney Spencer

Published on August 4, 2011 under Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury has acquired guard/forward Sidney Spencer from the New York Liberty in exchange for forward/center Kara Braxton, the team announced today.

"This was not an easy decision," president and general manager Ann Meyers Drysdale said. "However, we feel this is the right move in continuing our efforts to build a successful team within a first-class organization."

Braxton served a one-game suspension August 2 for conduct detrimental to the team.

"Sidney is a player we have had our eyes on in the past," said head coach Corey Gaines. "She comes from a championship collegiate program in the University of Tennessee and her ability to shoot the ball will be a valuable asset in our system."

The 6-3 guard was selected 25th overall by the Los Angeles Sparks in the 2007 WNBA Draft after leading the Volunteers to an NCAA national championship in 2007. Spencer was an immediate impact player in the WNBA leading the Sparks with 327 points in her rookie season. She finished the year ranked third in the WNBA in 3-point percentage (.439) and 10th in 3-point field goals made (54).

Since 2007, only two players have shot a better percentage from the 3-point line than Spencer, who is a career 41.3 percent shooter from long range (Penny Taylor (.415) and Shanna Crossley (.418)).

Prior to the 2009 season, the New York Liberty traded for Spencer in exchange for its 2010 first round draft pick and helped the Liberty to a 22-12 mark last season, the best record in the Eastern Conference.

In 11 career games against the Mercury, Spencer has averaged 7.7 points on 46.3 percent shooting from the 3-point line and 3.4 rebounds. She has recorded two double-doubles against the up-tempo system that included a 24-point, 12-rebound effort and an 18-point, 11-rebound performance.

Spencer is expected to be available for Sunday's game against the Connecticut Sun at 3 p.m. It's the Mercury's Rock the Pink night where the team will wear pink jerseys for breast cancer awareness. Select uniforms will be auctioned off postgame with all proceeds benefitting cancer research.

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