Satou Sabally could not conceal her smile as she was launched as the latest member of the Phoenix Mercury on Tuesday afternoon.
“I am tremendous joyful, tremendous humbled and grateful to be right here, to lastly be capable of be part of such a legendary group,” Sabally mentioned.
Sabally arrives in Phoenix as a part of a four-team commerce involving the Dallas Wings, Connecticut Solar and Indiana Fever. The commerce got here simply 26 days after Sabally informed reporters she had knowledgeable the Wings — her former group — that she had performed her final recreation in Dallas and meant to depart throughout free company.
Sabally was one of the coveted free brokers this offseason, however the Mercury have had her on their goal record lengthy earlier than she introduced her intentions to hitch a brand new group.
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“This has been a two-year pursuit,” Mercury basic supervisor Nick U’Ren mentioned Tuesday. “It is one thing we now have had our eye on and our hopes up for.”
On the time U’Ren took the entrance workplace place in Phoenix in 2023, Sabally was averaging a career-high 18.6 factors on 43.5% taking pictures with 8.1 rebounds in Dallas.
“It was really easy to see how proficient she was,” U’Ren informed ESPN.
Sabally was a restricted free agent that winter and took a gathering with the Mercury. Regardless of deciding to return to Dallas for the 2024 season, seeds had been planted between the 2020 No. 2 decide and the Mercury group.
“I had nice conversations with coach [Nate Tibbetts] and all through that final yr I may inform he actually is aware of me,” Sabally mentioned. “He is aware of how I play, learn how to set me up and he is aware of learn how to make me higher.”
The Mercury repeatedly used the phrase “versatility” to spotlight Sabally and describe what she brings to the group. That expands much more when pairing her alongside Alyssa Thomas, whom the Mercury acquired from the Solar, and Kahleah Copper.
“Actually, Satou and Alyssa can play 1 to five,” U’Ren informed ESPN. “Individuals throw that round so much, however it’s not an exaggeration with these two. Then, Kahleah can play so many various positions. You consider any of them with the ability to rebound and run after which the remainder of the group filling within the wings in transition.”
A 6-foot-4 large, Sabally’s dominance within the paint paired together with her 3-point taking pictures capability (she led Dallas in effectivity final season amongst gamers who took a minimum of 40 3s, at 45.2%) makes her generally known as a “unicorn” all through the WNBA.
On protection, U’Ren mentioned Sabally can defend any participant, which leans into the Mercury’s heavy tendency to change.
“I am a participant that will get numerous suggestions and deflections,” Sabally mentioned. “While you guard that prime publish that swings the ball so much, that is an vital place to protect. And even on the within, outdoors, I can change wherever.”
Sabally joins Phoenix with an open thoughts towards what the group will ask her to do and an eagerness to study not solely from her present teammates however those that performed for the Mercury earlier than her.
“Hopefully I will get to speak to [Diana Taurasi] and absorb all of her knowledge as a result of she has performed it earlier than me and I see it as drive,” Sabally mentioned.
She continued: “While you go into a spot the place there’s a successful tradition set, and I can determine with that, I can be my fullest self and may work on myself with out feeling bizarre about wanting so many hours within the gymnasium. That is simply anticipated.”