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WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Mercury Selects DeWanna Bonner in 2009 WNBA Draft

April 9, 2009 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury selected Auburn guard/forward DeWanna Bonner with the fifth overall selection in the 2009 WNBA Draft, the club announced today.

"I'm extremely pleased to get the opportunity to draft a player that we've had our eyes on for the past two years," said Head Coach Corey Gaines. "DeWanna is a versatile player who will be able to contribute at multiple positions for us both offensively and defensively. I had hoped for a chance to draft her into our system, and was surprised and excited that she was available for us."

DeWanna Bonner enters the WNBA after a four-year collegiate career at Auburn. Bonner became the first Auburn player to lead the SEC in scoring in 2008-09, posting averages of 21.1 (9th- NCAA Division I) points and 8.5 rebounds in 33.0 minutes per game. She became the second player in school history to lead her team in scoring and rebounding in all four years of her career. The 6-4 guard/forward also proved to be the University's best shotblocker, denying 1.62 shots per game in 2008-09.

Bonner was rewarded for her stellar senior season by being named the SEC Player of the Year for 2008-09. She was also a National Player of the Year Finalist and was recently named a State Farm/WBCA First-Team All-American. Bonner also won two gold medals as a member of the USA Basketball U21 National Team in the FIBA Americas U21 Championship in 2007 as well as the U20 team in 2006.

Bonner started all 126 games she appeared in during her four years at Auburn. She graduates with collegiate career averages of 17.2 points and 8.3 rebounds. The Fairfield, Alabama native scored an Auburn all-time record 2,162 points in her four years, nearly 100 more points than the former school record. She ranks second on Auburn's all-time rebounding list with 1,047 total rebounds. Her 600 career free throws also stands as a school record, surpassing the previous mark by more than 150 made free throws. During her junior season in 2007-08, she was named an All-American Honorable Mention and Associated Press First Team All-SEC. Her 24.5 points and 13.5 rebounds during the 2008 SEC Tournament earned her SEC All-Tournament Team honors as a junior.

The Phoenix Mercury tips off a summer of savings on Saturday, June 6 when the team takes on the San Antonio Silver Stars at 7 p.m. at US Airways Center. The first 6,000 people through the doors on opening night will receive a free commemorative t-shirt courtesy of Arizona Lottery. To purchase tickets to the home opener, visit phoenixmercury.com or call 602.252.WNBA. Lower-level seats start at just $10. Season tickets and a variety of other flexible game packages are available.

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