Mercury Adds Three Players in 2014 WNBA Draft
April 14, 2014 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release
PHOENIX - The two-time WNBA Champion Phoenix Mercury tonight added Oklahoma State point guard Tiffany Bias (17th overall, second round), Penn State shooting guard Maggie Lucas (21st overall, second round), and Australian forward Stephanie Talbot (33rd overall, third round) in the 2014 WNBA Draft.
The 5-foot-6 Bias is a speedy, pass-first point guard who set assist records and earned recognition for her defense while a four-year performer at Oklahoma State. A three-time All-Big 12 selection and 2013-14 Lieberman Award finalist as one of the nation's top point guards, Bias is a high-level facilitator and ball-handler who finished her collegiate career with the third-most assists in Big 12 conference history. As a senior, Bias averaged 13.9 points and 6.2 assists, earning All-Big 12 First Team and All-Big 12 Defensive Team selections.
A native of Wichita, Kan., as a sophomore, Bias set a Cowboys' single-season record for assists. Oklahoma State's all-time leader for career starts, the durable Bias started the final 111 consecutive games of her collegiate career.
The 5-foot-10 Lucas is a prolific shooter who shot better than 40 percent from three-point range and better than 90 percent from the free-throw line in her four-year career with the Lady Lions. A two-time Big Ten Player of the Year, three-time First Team All-Big Ten honoree and 2014 Wooden Award finalist, Lucas finished her career at Penn State as the program's second-leading scorer all-time. The sharpshooter finished her career with a Big Ten and Penn State-record 365 three-pointers, 12th-most in NCAA history.
Lucas, who increased her scoring average in all four seasons, averaged 20.1 points as a junior and 21.0 points as a senior, finishing as a career 41.5-percent shooter from long range. She joined former Mercury guard Kelly Mazzante as the only players in Penn State history to score 600 points or more in three separate seasons.
The 6-foot-1 Talbot is an up-and-coming 19-year-old currently playing for the Adelaide Lightning of the WNBL in Australia. The 2013 WNBL Rookie of the Year, Talbot was a member of Australia's under-19 team at the 2013 FIBA World Championships and is currently in the nation's senior national team camp in preparation for the 2014 FIBA World Championships. If selected, she could be on a team that would potentially feature Mercury guard Erin Phillips and Mercury forward Penny Taylor, who were also invited to the camp.
A founding member of the longest-running, most successful women's basketball league in the world, this summer the Phoenix Mercury begins its 18th WNBA season. Behind Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner, the sport's two highest profile athletes, the Mercury's chase for the franchise's third WNBA championship begins May 17. Secure your tickets today by logging on to PhoenixMercury.com or calling 602.252.WNBA.
Women's National Basketball Association Stories from April 14, 2014
- Sky Adds Three Players in 2014 WNBA Draft - Chicago Sky
- Shock Select Jordan Hooper and Theresa Plaisance in WNBA Draft - Tulsa Shock
- Mercury Adds Three Players in 2014 WNBA Draft - Phoenix Mercury
- Ogwumike, Sims, McBride Selected as Top Picks in 2014 WNBA Draft - WNBA
- Lynx Wrap up WNBA Draft - Minnesota Lynx
- Atlanta Dream Selectes Schimmel, Orekhova and Harberts in 2014 WNBA Draft - Atlanta Dream
- Sun Select Chelsea Gray with No. 11 Pick - Connecticut Sun
- New York Liberty Select Two Players in 2014 WNBA Draft - New York Liberty
- Natasha Howard & Natalie Achonwa Highlight Fever Selections - Indiana Fever
- Lynx Select Tricia Liston and Aysa Bussie with First Two Picks in WNBA Draft - Minnesota Lynx
- New York Liberty Land Tina Charles in Draft Night Trade - New York Liberty
- Sun Trade Tina Charles in Deal with Liberty - Connecticut Sun
- Sun Take Ogwumike No. 1 in WNBA Draft - Connecticut Sun
- Shock Select Odyssey Sims with Second Pick in WNBA Draft - Tulsa Shock
- Griffin Signs New Contract with Sun - Connecticut Sun
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
