The Phoenix Mercury made the playoffs in 2000, and before that season started, the Mercury added some talent from that year's draft.
did not have a first-round pick in 2000, but they still added some talent. They had a second-round pick, and they draftedPhoenix had a third-round pick, and they drafted Tauja Catchings. Then, they added Shantia Owens, and she spent some time with the Miami Sol and the Charlotte Sting.
Catchings did not play in the WNBA, but during her college years, she showcased her skills. In her final season, Catchings averaged 15.4 points, eight rebounds, 2.5 assists and 1.6 steals. She attended Illinois, and in that year's National Tournament, she and her teammates faced Utah in the first round. May 27, 2010; Rosemont, IL, USA; A general shot of the basketballs prior to a game between the Chicago Sky and the Seattle Storm at Allstate Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images | Dennis Wierzbicki-Imagn Images Illinois was victorious in that game, as the team picked up a 73-58 win. Catchings contributed in different ways, as she finished the game with seven rebounds. She also had five points, three assists, three blocks and a steal. Illinois did have some players who scored 10 or more points, as Allison Curtin had 22 points, Susan Blauser had 20 points and Kylie Martin had 16.Catchings and her teammates advanced to the next round, and they faced Iowa State. That game did not go in their favor, as Iowa State picked up a 79-68 win. Catchings had an impressive game, as she had 13 points, 11 rebounds, three steals, an assist and a block. May 22, 2012; Los Angeles, CA, USA; General view of WNBA basketballs on the bench before the game between the Seattle Storm and the Los Angeles Sparks at the Staples Center. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-Imagn Images | Kirby Lee-Imagn Images, and she averaged 12.3 points, 6.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.7 steals. Those numbers caught the attention of the Mercury, and she became one of their draft picks. While some of Phoenix's draft picks had a chance to suit up for the team, that does not always happen. There are instances like Catchings, and despite the outcome, those players are a part of the Mercury's legacy. Jul 16, 2025; Brooklyn, New York, USA; A general view of basketball shoes worn by New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart during pregame warmups of a game against the Indiana Fever at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: John Jones-Imagn Images | John Jones-Imagn Images Phoenix drafted the Illinois forward before a crucial season, as the Mercury were trying to get back into the playoffs. They missed the postseason in 1999, but after winning 20 games for the first time, they returned to the playoffs. They lost to the Los Angeles Sparks in the first round, and the Sparks lost to the Houston Comets in the following round. The Mercury's draft prepared them for that season, and once that season was over, the Mercury regressed.Davion Moore is a prolific writer with a wealth of experience. He has a bachelor's degree from Franklin University and a master's in Sports Journalism from Bonaventure University. His writing and expertise allowed him to join our team as the Phoenix Mercury WNBA reporter On SI.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Pokémon Phoenix Red Is A Surprisingly Dark Kanto SequelJames is a gaming writer from London who has spent thousands of hours exploring titles from every genre. Though he has a particular affinity for multiplayer titles like World of Warcraft, Destiny 2 and League of Legends, he has also put thousands of hours into single-player experiences, from deep RPGs to epic PC strategies.
Read more »
Phoenix police investigate two separate hit-and-run crashes leaving one dead and another badly injuredPhoenix police are investigating two separate hit-and-run crashes that left a 75-year-old woman dead and a man with life-threatening injuries.
Read more »
Jane Seymour reveals the time she 'married' Freddie MercuryThe former Bond girl and the Queen frontman had a mock ceremony during a special event.
Read more »
Duo wanted for scouting, burglarizing Phoenix homesPhoenix Police are searching for a man and woman they believe targeted homes to rob, between the 7th and 20th streets and Glendale Avenue.
Read more »
Jane Seymour Reflects on Unexpected Kiss from Freddie Mercury at Fashion Aid Charity EventActress Jane Seymour shares her memories of participating in the 1985 Fashion Aid charity event, where she was styled as Freddie Mercury's bride and received a surprise kiss from the Queen frontman during the live show. Seymour recounts the experience, including the elaborate bridal attire and the memorable moment on stage.
Read more »
Carlos Alcaraz loses to Sebastian Korda in the third round of the Miami OpenCarlos Alcaraz has been eliminated in the third round of the Miami Open, losing to Sebastian Korda in three sets
Read more »