Alyssa Thomas was officailly launched as a Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday afternoon, after spending the primary 11 years of her WNBA profession as a Connecticut Solar. In attendance was her latest teammate, Satou Sabally, who else made the transfer away from the group that drafted her, the Dallas Wings, in hopes of constructing one thing in Phoenix.
Sabally had the primary query, jestfully asking the WNBA’s All-Time triple-double chief: “What number of triple-doubles can I anticipate from you this season?”
Thomas chuckled, joking it was as much as Sabally to make her photographs.
“The Engine”, as she’s typically been known as, will all the time make the passes.
Thomas’s introduction marked the daybreak of a brand new period in Phoenix. Thomas, Sabally, and returning Mercury star Kahleah Copper will kind a brand new Large Three in Phoenix. Guards Sami Whitcomb and Sevgi Uzun, ahead Natasha Mack, and middle Kalani Brown will possible assist spherical out the rotation. Brittney Griner is not with the group after opting to affix the Atlanta Dream within the offseason. The way forward for Diana Taurasi stays unsure.
Thomas is without doubt one of the new faces of the franchise, if not the face, and, with a view to be in Phoenix in individual for the formal introduction, Thomas flew from Miami, the place she’s at present taking part in within the new skilled girls’s 3-on-3 basketball league Unequalled.
Right here’s what Alyssa Thomas needed to say in her introductory press convention.
Alyssa Thomas is pursuing her first WNBA championship
Although she’s reached the WNBA Finals and persistently performed for a number of the winningest groups within the league, Alyssa Thomas has but to succeed in the mountaintop and really safe a WNBA championship.
In Phoenix, she hopes that can change.
“I’m tremendous excited to be right here with this group,” Thomas stated. “All of us come from totally different backgrounds, totally different profitable backgrounds, and now we get an opportunity to be collectively and attain one thing totally different. It’s time to get again to playoffs, and I’m nonetheless chasing the championship, so simply excited to be part of this group.”
DeWanna Bonner gushed in regards to the Mercury fanbase
Thomas’s fiance, DeWanna Bonner, spent the primary decade of her WNBA profession in Phoenix, profitable two championships and averaging double-figures each season. Bonner gained’t be returning to Phoenix alongside her associate — she determined to take her abilities to Indiana — however she did play a task in serving to Thomas to be taught in regards to the franchise she finally opted to affix.
“She spoke so extremely of this group,” Thomas stated. “She spent 10 years right here. She is aware of a lot in regards to the space, so I’ve gotten a crash course about this group. She speaks so extremely of the fanbase and all of the individuals right here. I’m actually excited to expertise it.”
Many speculated that Thomas’s transfer to Phoenix signaled that Bonner, additionally a free agent, would comply with swimsuit. However, in her introductory press convention, Thomas stated that she and Bonner had been by no means going to base their free company selections on each other.
“We’re each two totally different gamers,” she stated. “We approached this free company as ‘we each have our personal careers.’ Her determination was her determination, and mine was mine. And both means, we help one another to the fullest.”
Thomas will carry an analogous mindset to Phoenix as she did in Connecticut
Alyssa Thomas has been a perennial MVP candidate. Final season, she averaged 10.6 factors, 8.4 rebounds, 7.9 assists, and 1.6 steals, whereas additionally anchoring one of many league’s finest defenses.
“I don’t assume I’m going to be any totally different,” Thomas stated when requested about what her mindset might be as she begins a brand new chapter in Phoenix. “I’m going to carry my aggressive spirit, offensively and defensively. The most important factor is — I like to assist my teammates and get them straightforward photographs. So, I anticipate to get Kah [Kahleah Copper] and Satou [Sabally] numerous straightforward photographs.”
Copper and Sabally, surefire stars in their very own proper, haven’t any bother producing their very own offense. However, they’ve but to play with as versatile a playmaker as Thomas, and, as such, they may simply elevate their recreation to new heights.
“Defensively, I feel we’re so versatile that we will get after it and guard individuals in numerous alternative ways,” Thomas stated. “And offensively, the ground goes to be so spaced. It’s going to be numerous enjoyable simply to have the ability to push tempo and be surrounded by so many nice gamers, so many shooters. So I feel, actually, the sky’s the restrict for us, and I hope persons are estimating us, as a result of we’re gonna we’re gonna be a extremely powerful workforce to beat.
Thomas hopes to depart an enduring legacy in Phoenix
Many nice gamers have suited up for the Mercury through the years, headlined by none apart from Diana Taurasi, who spent 20 years with the group and is the WNBA’s all-time main scorer. The Mercury have gained three championships — in 2007, 2009, and 2015 — all beneath Taurasi’s management.
The deep-rooted profitable tradition is one which appealed to Thomas.
“I feel that’s one of many explanation why I got here right here, simply the historical past of the Mercury and the way they’ve gained through the years,” she stated. “Gamers like Diana [Taurasi], BG [Brittney Griner], even DB [DeWanna Bonner], they’ve achieved nice issues for this group.”
At 32 years outdated, Thomas appears like she has loads of extra high-level basketball in her future.
“I don’t plan to be any totally different than that I’ve been in my previous workforce in Connecticut,” she stated. “I’m attempting to win. I don’t need to drop off. I need to proceed to play on the identical degree, be in playoffs, and the objective is a championship.”