Mercury’s Copper looks back on career year, wants expansion team in hometown Philadelphia

This story has been updated has add new information.

A strong argument can be made that without Kahleah Copper, the Phoenix Mercury could have missed the WNBA playoffs for the second year in a row.

The Mercury finished 19-21 that regular season and never exceeded the .500 mark for more than two games. The team dealt with a barrage of injuries, including its top big, Brittney Griner, who missed the team’s first 10 games with a broken toe.

Phoenix was the No. 7 seed swept in the first round by the No. 2 Minnesota Lynx. Copper finished as the league’s third leading scorer, with a career-high 21.1 points per game. Her 37 games played were second among starters behind point guard Natasha Cloud’s 38.

Copper was selected to the Associated Press All-WNBA second team, the vaunted Team USA, and won a gold medal at the Paris Olympics, all for the first time in her career.

Copper was somewhat inconsistent after the Olympic break, which many critics cited as fatigue from his combined usage of playing with the Mercury, Team USA and in the Phoenix All-Star Game in July.

“It was a difficult season, because it was an Olympic year. It was a lot mentally and physically,” Copper said, speaking at the Mercury’s end-of-season conference on Thursday. “I think with some people having time off, I know it was really helpful, but as a as a child, it’s something that you work for and what you want, and for me, I think that was the ultimate goal. That’s all it takes at this point.

Copper spent the last seven of her nine-year WNBA career in the Windy City and was a rising star when she won the 2021 WNBA Finals MVP after Chicago beat Phoenix for the franchise’s first title. She arrived in Phoenix this past offseason in a trade for their third overall pick in the 2024 draft. Copper liked the goals set by the franchise and the teammates she would be joining, including returning veterans Griner, Diana Taurasi and Sophie Cunningham. Two Mercury starters, Bec Allen and Cloud, came to Phoenix in a trade with Connecticut and in free agency, respectively.

“I came to an organization that was really about promoting women’s sports,” Copper said of the Mercury. “Really about quality in providing and putting players first. I think I came here because I wanted more at this stage of my career and everything I wanted and needed, and I’m excited for the offseason.

If Taurasi decides to retire in the coming days or weeks, having Copper gives Mercury and his X-Factor fan base a lot of optimism.

“I’m grateful to have gotten to know her, grateful to have been able to learn from her,” Copper said of her season alongside Taurasi. Copper added that Taurasi is “selfless” and a “dog.”

Copper and Cloud have grown to love their lives in Phoenix, but they proudly represent their native Philadelphia.

During starting lineups at the Mercury’s home games this season, the Footprint Center announcer introduced her as “from North Philadelphia,” not from her alma mater Rutgers.

“I think a lot of the pride I have in my city is because of the way I was raised, and a lot of that comes from me as a person and as a player,” Copper said. “So it’s a perfect representation and introduction to who I am. Hearing that every game day, it still gives me chills.

Philadelphia is nicknamed the City of Brotherly Love, but its mayor, Cherelle Parker, is trying to add Sisterly Love to the WNBA’s expansion plan, adding four more teams by the 2028 season. Parker revealed his administration’s plan during a public meeting to create a new arena for the 76ers.and the team put forward a bid to bring a WNBA team there.

The league has already approved Toronto and the Golden State Valkyries in San Francisco to begin play next season. Portland, Oregon will see a team return to its city and play in 2026.

“That would be great. I think the city is full of love for women’s sports and so many great names have come out of this city, just basketball players,” Copper said. “So if we could bring a W team to my city, it would be tremendous.”

This article was originally published on Arizona Republic: Kahleah Copper looks back on Phoenix Mercury’s playoff season