Mercury acquire ASU legend January, trade Robinson to Fever
Mar 6, 2018, 2:46 PM | Updated: 2:50 pm
Indiana Fever's Briann January (20) shoots over Phoenix Mercury's Penny Taylor (13) during the first half of a first round WNBA playoff basketball game Wednesday, Sept. 21, 2016, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
(AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
NEW YORK (AP) — The Phoenix Mercury swapped point guards.
The Mercury traded Danielle Robinson to the Minnesota Lynx while acquiring Briann January from the Indiana Fever on Tuesday.
Phoenix also sent the No. 8 pick in this year’s WNBA draft to the Fever and received Minnesota’s No. 12 pick.
“Briann is a difference-maker in our league,” Mercury GM Jim Pitman said. “We’ve seen her have success guarding the best-scoring guards and wings on the biggest stage, and we’ve seen her run a team as an All-Star-caliber point guard. We are excited to add perhaps the best women’s player in the history of Arizona State University to our roster.”
The 31-year-old January has spent her entire career with the Fever after getting drafted sixth by Indiana in 2009. This offseason, January began her tenure as an assistant coach with her alma mater, Arizona State.
We aren’t kidding when we say year-round women’s hoops for Phoenix fans! So excited for @BriannJanuary and @PhoenixMercury! She is the ultimate leader, competitor and teammate. This is going to fun! 😁 #Time4Championship pic.twitter.com/ACijs8JFYO
— Charli Turner Thorne (@ASUCoachCharli) March 6, 2018
“Bri has been a key component in the success of the franchise, including helping Indiana to a 2012 championship,” Fever general manager and coach Pokey Chatman said. “As much as we value her skills and veteran experience, this move gives us a tremendous opportunity to improve our franchise for years to come.”
The Fever now own the No. 2, 8 and 14 picks in the draft.
Minnesota received an experienced backup point guard in the 28-year-old Robinson. She spent one season in Phoenix after getting drafted by San Antonio in 2011.
“We are excited to welcome Danielle Robinson to the Minnesota Lynx family,” Lynx coach and GM Cheryl Reeve said. “Her ability to push the pace, collapse opposing defenses, and create quality opportunities for her teammates, makes her one of the most unique players in our league.
“Her combination of exceptional quickness and great instincts also makes her disruptive on the defensive end. Most importantly, Danielle has earned the reputation of being a tremendous teammate and exceptional member of any community she has served.”
The Lynx also received the Mercury’s second-round pick in next year’s draft.
