Mercury Retro Profile: Penny Taylor

The Phoenix Mercury has always featured impactful players, with some excelling in specific roles like defense or facilitation, and others showcasing all-around talents, all contributing to team success.

Penny Taylor played a key role in all three Mercury championship teams, joining in 2004 as their primary 3-point threat and becoming their all-time leader in 3-point percentage. Before this, she was drafted 11th overall by the Cleveland Rockers in 2001 after playing professionally in Australia, with her best season in 2002 averaging 13.0 points, 5.3 rebounds, 2.3 assists, and 1.2 steals.

When the Rockers folded, the Mercury selected Taylor first in the 2004 dispersal draft. In her debut Mercury season, she averaged 13.2 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.5 assists, and 1.5 steals, coinciding with Diana Taurasi's Rookie of the Year win and a 17-17 team record. The following year in 2005, Taylor posted similar stats (13.2 points, 4.1 rebounds, 3.2 assists, 1.3 steals), but the team missed the playoffs with a 16-18 record.

In 2007, Taylor helped the Mercury win their first championship with her, achieving a career-high average of 17.8 points, 6.3 rebounds, 2.9 assists, and 1.5 steals. She remained with the team through her 2016 retirement, contributing to titles in 2009 and 2014 despite injuries; for instance, in 2009, she played only 14 games but averaged 10.9 points, 2.4 rebounds, 2.3 assists, 1.2 steals, and 40% from 3-point range.

Post-retirement, Taylor briefly served as a Mercury assistant coach and had her jersey retired, making her one of only four players honored this way by the franchise. Her legacy endures for her instrumental role in the Mercury's championship victories.