Phoenix Mercury stars Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper were listed on ESPN’s list of the 50 best WNBA players ahead of the 2026 season.
ESPN listed Thomas as the second-best player, just behind the reigning league MVP, A’ja Wilson, of the Las Vegas Aces.
Kendra Andrews said Thomas’ ability as a playmaker and her record-breaking season in assists make her one of the top players headed into 2026.
Thomas had an MVP-caliber season in her first year with the Mercury, finishing third in award voting. One of the league’s best playmakers, she led the WNBA in assists per game and broke the league’s single-season assists record (357), finishing with at least 300 for the third straight season. Thomas also recorded eight triple-doubles — more than the rest of the league combined — to break her own single-season record (six in 2023).
Acquired by the Mercury as part of a four-team trade in February 2025, Thomas shined her first season in Phoenix, averaging 15.4 points (on 53.2% shooting), a league-leading 9.2 assists and 8.8 rebounds per game. For her efforts, Thomas earned All-Star honors and was named to the All-WNBA First Team for the third time in her career. She finished third in MVP voting, behind Wilson and the Minnesota Lynx’s Napheesa Collier.
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Thomas shined during the postseason, averaging 16.9 points (on 50% shooting), nine rebounds and 8.8 assists per game. She was one of the key players who helped Phoenix reach the WNBA Finals last season.
Thomas signed a new deal to return to Phoenix this offseason after being an unrestricted free agent.
Copper listed outside top 10 of ESPN list
ESPN ranked Copper as the 12th-best player in the league. Andrews noted Copper’s ability to generate offense and her postseason performance last season as reasons for her placement on the list.
Copper was the offensive centerpiece for the Mercury on their path to last year’s WNBA Finals appearance. Her ability to generate offense for herself and her teammates is one of Copper’s best attributes.
Copper was another top player for Phoenix last season, despite the four-time All-Star missing the first 11 games because of left knee surgery. Copper also missed time in July with a hamstring injury.
In 28 games, Copper averaged 15.6 points (on 42.4% shooting), 2.9 rebounds and 1.5 assists per game. She upped her play in the postseason, averaging 17.8 points and 3.5 rebounds per game.
Copper re-signed with Phoenix this offseason.
DeWanna Bonner rounds out Mercury players on list
Bonner was the final Mercury player on the ESPN list, ranked as the 47th-best player in the league. Andrews noted Bonner’s play picked up in her return to Phoenix last season after a brief stint with the Indiana Fever.
At 38, Bonner is the third-leading scorer in league history (7,807), eighth in career rebounds (3,204) and third in games played (535). After starting last season with the Indiana Fever — where she played just nine games — Bonner was putting up career-low numbers across the board. However, after requesting a trade, getting waived and then picked up by Phoenix, Bonner averaged 10.9 points, 4.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists through 24 games last season for the Mercury.
The Mercury will begin their regular season in a WNBA Finals rematch against the defending champion Aces in Las Vegas on Saturday.
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