PHOENIX MERCURY

Phoenix Mercury select Charisma Osborne, Jaz Shelley in 2024 WNBA Draft

Apr 15, 2024, 8:01 PM | Updated: 8:21 pm

Charisma Osborne poses with a Mercury jersey during the WNBA Draft...

Charisma Osborne (R) poses with WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert (L) after being selected 25th overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury during the 2024 WNBA Draft at Brooklyn Academy of Music on April 15, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

The Phoenix Mercury selected UCLA guard Charisma Osborne with the 25th pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft on Monday night before nabbing Nebraska guard Jaz Shelley four picks later with the 29th pick.

Osborne marks the highest draft pick the Mercury have this year after dealing the third overall pick to the Chicago Sky in a trade package that brought back All-Star Kahleah Copper.

Phoenix’s second-round pick (No. 13) was also owned by the Sky in 2024.

This past season (34 games played), Osborne averaged 13.9 points, 5.2 rebounds, 4.0 assists and 1.6 steals across 33 minutes per contest.

She shot 41% from the field and 32.2% from 3-point land.

Across five seasons at UCLA, the 5-foot-9 guard out of Fantana, California, averaged 14.9 points, 5.6 rebounds and 3.1 assists per game.

For her efforts, she earned two Pac-12 All-Defense Team nods (2021, 2024) and received All-Pac-12 honors four times (2021-2023). She also cracked the Pac-12 All-Freshman Team (2020).

Mercury take Jaz Shelley in third-round of WNBA Draft

Shelley meanwhile heads to the desert after spending the past three seasons at Nebraska. Before her time as a Husker, Shelley had a two-year stint at Oregon.

This past season (35 games played), Shelley averaged 13.4 points, 4.3 rebounds, 5.7 assists and 1.6 steals in 33.2 minutes of work.

She shot 38.5% from the field and 33.7% from long range in her final year at Nebraska.

Osborne and Shelley join a Mercury roster that has undergone a revamp this offseason following the additions of Natasha Cloud and Kahleah Copper, among others.

Phoenix also welcomes back two of its cornerstone players in Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner.

The Mercury tip off the 2024 season on the road against the Las Vegas Aces on May 14 before returning home three days later for a tilt against the Atlanta Dream.

Phoenix Mercury

Satou Sabally, Mercury...

Alex Weiner

Satou Sabally eager to build on Mercury’s championship legacy

The Phoenix Mercury were exactly what coveted WNBA free agent Satou Sabally was looking for in the next stage of her career.

2 days ago

Dallas Wings forward Satou Sabally handles the ball during a WNBA basketball game against the New Y...

Lance Hartzler

Phoenix Mercury a winner of WNBA free agency, writes ESPN’s Kevin Pelton

The Phoenix Mercury added Alyssa Thomas and Satou Sabally to earn high trade grades from ESPN reporter Kevin Pelton.

3 days ago

John Shumate died Monday morning at the age of 72...

Tyler Drake

Former Suns forward, assistant coach John Shumate dead at 72

Former Suns first-round draft pick John Shumate, who also played a role as a scout and assistant for the team, died Monday at the age of 72.

4 days ago

Satou Sabally...

Alex Weiner

Report: Mercury acquire All-Star Satou Sabally from Wings, trade Sophie Cunningham

The Mercury reportedly added All-Star Satou Sabally from the Wings in a three-team trade that sent sharpshooter Sophie Cunningham to the Fever.

6 days ago

Brittney Griner...

Alex Weiner

Mercury legend Brittney Griner to sign with Atlanta Dream

Brittney Griner has agreed to a one-year deal with the Atlanta Dream, ending her tenure with the Phoenix Mercury after 11 seasons, ESPN reported. 

9 days ago

Connecticut Sun forward Alyssa Thomas (25) handles the ball against Minnesota Lynx forward Alanna S...

Arizona Sports

Report: Natasha Cloud a part of Mercury’s blockbuster trade for Alyssa Thomas

The Phoenix Mercury are finalizing a trade to acquire Connecticut Sun All-Star Alyssa Thomas, according to multiple reports.

10 days ago

Phoenix Mercury select Charisma Osborne, Jaz Shelley in 2024 WNBA Draft