From left to right: guard Sha Carter, center Natasha Mack, head coach Nate Tibbetts, forward Alyssa Thomas, guards Kahleah Copper and Kiana Williams during the Phoenix Mercury’s training camp. (Photo: Phoenix Mercury)
PHOENIX — As the Phoenix Mercury‘s season opener approaches, the rookies are learning valuable lessons in training camp to build upon in the future.
Rookies such as guards Sha Carter and Lauren Jensen shared what types of play styles they bring to the Mercury while learning how to absorb other players’ techniques and advice. Both have played professional basketball overseas, which prepared them for the training camp.
The Mercury’s veteran core emphasized the importance of continuity while the coaching staff evaluates which rookies will earn a spot on the opening night roster.
Phoenix Mercury guard Sha Carter during training camp. (Photo: Phoenix Mercury)
Phoenix Mercury Guard Sha Carter Credits Familiar WNBA Head Coach
During her collegiate career at Florida Gulf Coast University, Carter played under Karl Smesko, who is now the head coach of the Atlanta Dream.
She has greatly respected Smesko for the lessons she has learned from him and the coaching staff, and how those have helped her become the player she is today.
“Karl is a stand-up guy,” Carter said of Smesko. “He is amazing (and) really brought my IQ level to make me see things I never paid attention to, like analytics. He was a remnant, threes kind of guy. We were reigning threes, that was our thing.
“Coming into his system, I wasn’t a shooter; that wasn’t my thing. I told you, I’m a layup, I’m back to the basket, you know, stuff like that, and he brought in my game, in my mindset, and that helped me to see that there are other ways to be impactful on the court, how to rebound, you know, these smaller, detail-oriented things that I don’t think I paid attention to.”
Smesko brings in the up-tempo coaching style for the Dream, reminiscent of what Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts has provided to the team as well.
The principles Carter learned from Smesko during her days at FGCU is what she has been able to translate on the court.
“His fundamentals, how he wants us to rebound, and where we’re going, that was stuff that I learned over the years, and it started with Smesko and things like that,” Carter said. “If that’s what I got to do to help the team out, for sure, I’m down for it. It’s about being stronger, but also like, ‘hey, it’s being fundamentally sound.’
“And that’s kind of something that’s not necessarily, like, skill set. It’s about grit, so that’s my thing. If that’s what I can do to help the team, if I got to be a little bit quicker, especially when I’m playing people, like I have no problem doing that. And that’s something that we all, like everybody here who’s fighting for a spot, we’re trying to do the little things. The little things turn into big things.”
Lauren Jensen Learns Valuable Lessons in Mercury’s Training Camp
During her days at Creighton, Jensen made valuable contributions to the women’s basketball program, leading the team to their first-ever appearance in the Elite Eight in 2022.
She mentioned during the shootaround on Wednesday that she is known for being an effective shooter who utilizes her shot to get downhill and create momentum for her teammates.
“It’s been a great opportunity,” Jensen said. “Phoenix is a great organization. Went to the finals last year. All the people are great, and trying to come in, control what we can control, and work hard, be a great teammate, and take care of business every day.”
One of the veterans Jensen learned from is guard Sami Whitcomb, a two-time WNBA Champion entering her tenth year in the league.
Whitcomb is known for making quick-release three-pointers while fitting nicely in Tibbetts’ fast tempo play style.
“Sami’s awesome,” Jensen said. “If there’s one person in the league that I need to watch, it’s Sami. I’m here. I’m gonna watch her. She’s a gym rat. Just seeing how hard she works and just showing up every day, being a great teammate. Even before practice and after practice, during practice, she’s going so hard.”
Nate Tibbetts and Coaching Staff Evaluate Which Players Make the Phoenix Mercury’s Final Roster
In training camp, the Mercury went undefeated in the preseason, picking up wins over the Chicago Sky and the Japan Women’s National Team.
Carter and undrafted guard Shay Ciezki of Indiana made positive contributions off the bench during Wednesday’s home game against Japan.
“I’ve learned a lot just being out here for a week and a half,” Ciezki said postgame. “Our vets have been incredible, just teaching, (and) making sure that where we are, where we’re supposed to be. And tonight, I could definitely feel the energy with everybody, and it’s definitely a special place to be, excited to see what happens next.”
During the shootaround, Carter shared that her play style is versatile, allowing her to effectively shoot, rebound, and defend.
The role she played during the Mercury’s blowout win (86-60) on Wednesday showed that to the team.
“I’m learning more about her each day, but she’s got a wonderful presence to her,” Tibbetts said of Carter. “And the thing that I like about her is you could put her on the WNBA floor, and she can guard people. She’s got a physicality to her. She’s going to crash class. She’s going to compete. And so, these are games she needs. These are practices coming up that she needs just to continue to see what it’s like at our level.”
In the fourth quarter, Ciezki recorded eight points; a three-pointer made, and two assists while playing nearly eight minutes of action, impressing Phoenix’s players and the coaching staff.
During her time with the Indiana Hoosiers, she made a name for herself by achieving a 50-40-90 season and established herself as a highly effective three-point shooter.
“She’s been great, another self-made player,” Tibbetts said of Ciezki. “She’s worked extremely hard on her craft. I was excited for her when she came in and impacted the game in a positive way. She, probably because of her size, has had to play the point, but she can move around and play off the ball, and she’s extremely coachable. She had a good night.”
As the Mercury coaching staff have tough decisions to make regarding which rookies on training camp contracts make the final roster, all that matters to the team are the lessons they have learned.
