Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (No. 24) attempts to score in the paint against the Connecticut Sun on July 19. (Photo: Adrianna Peralta | The Podium Finish)
PHOENIX- During the Phoenix Mercury’s win over the Connecticut Sun at Mortgage Matchup Center on Sunday, forward DeWanna Bonner made history by becoming the franchise’s all-time leader in rebounds.
Coincidentally, she has surpassed her former teammate, center Brittney Griner, who is now with the Sun after spending the first 11 years of her career with the Mercury.
After Phoenix’s public announcer highlighted Bonner’s historic accomplishment in the fourth quarter, Bonner and Griner exchanged high fives and hugs, sharing a lighthearted moment. Throughout their careers, both played alongside renowned veterans like Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor, and together, Bonner and Griner captured a WNBA Championship in 2014.
“I’m happy for DB (DeWanna Bonner),” Griner said of Bonner postgame. “We had a little moment on the court; I told her congrats, and then I said, ‘forget you.’ But DB is a great player. She was here when I came; she was my vet. I’ve been on the side of her and watched her going up the boards (leaderboards) and just her play. And then being on the other side, playing against her. She’s an amazing player, so happy for her too.”
Bonner Brings in Versatility for the Phoenix Mercury
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (No. 24) attempts to score in the paint against the Connecticut Sun on July 19. (Photo: Adrianna Peralta | The Podium Finish)
In her 17th season in the WNBA, Bonner earned many accolades, from coming off the bench to becoming a starter, and had a full-circle moment by returning to the franchise that drafted her at fifth overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft, Auburn, last July. She won three consecutive Sixth Woman of the Year awards from 2009-2011 and was named a WNBA All-Star six times.
Bonner is currently three games away from surpassing Taurasi as the league’s all-time leader in games played throughout the regular season, as she’s currently at 562.
Head coach Nate Tibbetts was pleased to have the opportunity to coach a player like Bonner, who is known for her versatility and for making big shots.
“I think just for me, getting the opportunity to coach DB right now, at the end of her career, just the versatility that she brings… I think just her versatility, her size, her mobility. I just can’t even imagine how she moved around in her prime,” Tibbetts said of Bonner’s historic accomplishment postgame.
In the fourth quarter, Bonner scored a layup and completed the three-point play that secured the win for the Mercury. She also celebrated with her iconic signature shimmy with her teammates, getting fans across Phoenix excited.
When asked how Bonner will soak it all in after becoming the third player in WNBA history to surpass 8,000 career points and the Mercury’s all-time franchise leader in rebounds, she mentioned building momentum and getting some wins with the team.
“Not yet,” Bonner said. “It’s tough to do when you’re in the midst of a season, especially a season like this where we’ve been. So you know, up and down right now, we’re just trying to get as many wins as I can, and I’m just trying to do whatever it takes. Once I retire, whenever that is, then I’ll look back and kind of reflect on everything. But right now, my focus is just trying to get some wins when we can get some wins.”
Griner, Nelson-Ododa Give Credit to Bonner for Her Leadership in Phoenix And Connecticut
Former Phoenix Mercury teammates, Connecticut Sun center Brittney Griner (No. 42) and Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (No. 24), exchanged hugs during the fourth quarter at Mortgage Matchup Center on July 19. (Photo: Adrianna Peralta | The Podium Finish)
After spending a decade with the Mercury, Bonner spent five seasons with the Sun, building team chemistry with forward Alyssa Thomas and also helping lead the team during her time.
One of Bonner and Thomas’ teammates, forward Olivia Nelson-Ododa, credits both of them for helping her develop her skills on and off the court when they were with Connecticut.
“They taught me a lot, especially the two years that I was with them,” Nelson-Ododa said of Bonner and Thomas. “They were my vets too, and so just to see her pass that milestone, I’m really proud of her. I’m really happy for her. It’s just a testament to the type of player she is.”
When Griner was practicing with the Sun on Friday morning before facing the Mercury on the road, she said how gratified she was for Bonner while accomplishing many more accolades, even in her return to Phoenix.
“Very proud of her, so proud of DB,” Griner told The Podium Finish on Friday. “I mean, she’s great. Having her back home in Phoenix, I was very happy for her to be here. I know she’s very happy. Everything that she did for Phoenix is amazing; she’s an amazing player (and) person, on the court and off the court. She was always there for me, on (and) off court, helping me out as well.”
