- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,147,949
- Reaction score
- 59
For the first time in two years, the Phoenix Mercury had picks in the WNBA Draft, and the team decided to go after international players.
The Mercury used their first selection on France's Ines Pitarch-Granel at No. 27 overall, followed by Hungary's Eszter Ratkai at No. 42 overall on April 13.
Pitarch-Granel spent the last two seasons with Tango Bourges Basket in her native France, averaging 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 24 games this season.
The 5-foot-11 shooting guard is the third French player in the Mercury's organization in 2026, as the team signed 31-year-old forward Valériane Ayayi to a protected contract and 26-year-old forward Noémie Brochant to a training camp contract.
Phoenix selected Hungarian guard Eszter Rátkai, who has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022. The 19-year-old is currently averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 23 games. Like Pitarch-Granel, Rátkai has been playing for her youth national team since 2022.
General manager Nick U'Ren addressed open roster spots in 2025 by finding players with extensive international experience over WNBA veterans, and continues to do so in 2026.
With most of the league's veterans as free agents and a new collective bargaining agreement, the Mercury had to navigate a new landscape.
But the team didn't make any big swings during the opening days of free agency and instead re-signed Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb. Star forward Satou Sabally leaves a big gap after heading to the New York Liberty in free agency.
The Mercury have yet to lock down starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani, forward Natasha Mack and forward Kathryn Westbeld after sending qualifying offers on April 7.
The roster will continue to take shape before training camp begins on April 19.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at [email protected], as well as @jennarortiz on X.
Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who did the Mercury pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
Continue reading...
The Mercury used their first selection on France's Ines Pitarch-Granel at No. 27 overall, followed by Hungary's Eszter Ratkai at No. 42 overall on April 13.
Pitarch-Granel spent the last two seasons with Tango Bourges Basket in her native France, averaging 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds in 24 games this season.
The 5-foot-11 shooting guard is the third French player in the Mercury's organization in 2026, as the team signed 31-year-old forward Valériane Ayayi to a protected contract and 26-year-old forward Noémie Brochant to a training camp contract.
Phoenix selected Hungarian guard Eszter Rátkai, who has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022. The 19-year-old is currently averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals in 23 games. Like Pitarch-Granel, Rátkai has been playing for her youth national team since 2022.
General manager Nick U'Ren addressed open roster spots in 2025 by finding players with extensive international experience over WNBA veterans, and continues to do so in 2026.
With most of the league's veterans as free agents and a new collective bargaining agreement, the Mercury had to navigate a new landscape.
But the team didn't make any big swings during the opening days of free agency and instead re-signed Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb. Star forward Satou Sabally leaves a big gap after heading to the New York Liberty in free agency.
The Mercury have yet to lock down starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani, forward Natasha Mack and forward Kathryn Westbeld after sending qualifying offers on April 7.
The roster will continue to take shape before training camp begins on April 19.
Reach the reporter or send tips for stories at [email protected], as well as @jennarortiz on X.
Catch the best high school sports coverage in the state. Sign up for Azcentral Preps Now. And be sure to subscribe to our daily sports newsletters so you don't miss a thing.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Who did the Mercury pick in the 2026 WNBA Draft?
Continue reading...
