WNBA

Familiar faces: Which players in the WNBA playoffs have ties to Arizona?

Then-Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner dribbles the ball against the Indiana Fever during a game, Thursday, July 9 at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix. Bonner is now on the Atlanta Dream, who will face the Washington Mystics in the first round of the WNBA playoffs.

(The Associated Press/Ross D. Franklin)

Minnesota Lynx guard Aari McDonald (4) plays against the Indiana Fever in the first half of a WNBA basketball game in Indianapolis, Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)

Michael Conroy

Despite making the WNBA Finals last season, the Mercury missed the playoffs entirely this year, finishing 12th in the 15-team league.

Still, Mercury fans will have some familiar faces to root on as the playoffs start on Sunday.

Arizona is a bit of a desert when it comes to developing women’s basketball talent. None of the players on the eight WNBA playoff rosters were born in or went to high school in the Grand Canyon State. Only one active WNBA player went to an Arizona college.

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