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WNBA Phoenix Mercury

Phoenix Mercury Announces Final Roster

May 16, 2012 - Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA)
Phoenix Mercury News Release


PHOENIX - The Phoenix Mercury today announced is official opening day roster for the 2012 season which begins Sunday in Minnesota when the Mercury takes on the defending champion Lynx. Tipoff is slated for 9:30 a.m. PT and will be broadcast on ABC.

The roster includes six returners and five newcomers. Highlighting the returners are All-Stars Diana Taurasi and Candice Dupree and three-time Sixth Woman of the Year DeWanna Bonner. Although unable to play due to a torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, Penny Taylor will also be an active player on the 11-person roster and will participate in team activities. New faces to the squad include veterans Alexis Hornbuckle and Charde Houston, who both played in Minnesota last season, and the sixth overall pick in the 2012 WNBA Draft, Samantha Prahalis.

Andrea Riley and Krystal Thomas were waived today to bring the roster to the 11-player maximum.

Phoenix makes its home debut on May 26 when it hosts Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks at 7 p.m. A complete final roster is below and attached.

2012 PHOENIX MERCURY ROSTER

No. Player Pos. Ht. Wt. Birthdate Exp From/Year

24 DeWanna Bonner G/F 6-4 137 08/21/1987 3 Auburn "˜09

4 Candice Dupree F 6-2 175 08/16/1984 6 Temple "˜06

21 Alexis Gray-Lawson G 5-8 180 04/21/1987 1 California "˜10

14 Alexis Hornbuckle G 5-10 168 10/16/1985 4 Tennessee "˜08

22 Charde Houston F 6-0 193 04/10/1986 4 Connecticut "˜08

99 Samantha Prahalis G 5-7 129 01/23/1990 R Ohio State "˜12

43 Nakia Sanford F/C 6-4 190 05/10/1976 9 Kansas "˜03

6 Zane Tamane C 6-7 176 09/24/1983 1 Western Illinois "˜06

3 Diana Taurasi G 6-0 163 06/11/1982 8 Connecticut "˜04

13 Penny Taylor F 6-1 165 05/24/1981 10 Australia

23 Avery Warley C 6-3 202 05/17/1990 R Liberty "˜12

HEAD COACH: Corey Gaines (Loyola Marymount)

ASSISTANT COACH: Julie Hairgrove (Arizona), Earl Cureton (Detroit Mercy)

ATHLETIC TRAINER: Tamara Poole (Cal. State-Dominguez Hills)

Strength and Conditioning Coach: Pro Advantage Training

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