Phoenix Mercury waive 4 players to trim roster to 11
May 26, 2020, 12:42 PM
Phoenix Mercury coach Sandy Brondello shouts during the first half of the team's WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2018, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
(AP Photo/John Locher)
The Phoenix Mercury announced Tuesday that it waived four players, bringing its roster to 11.
The team waived Te’a Cooper, Stella Johnson, Olivia Epoupa and Sara Blicavs.
Teams usually have to cut their rosters to get under the salary cap before the regular season begins, which would have been on May 14. The WNBA postponed the start of the season in early April because of the coronavirus pandemic and is still focusing on a handful of scenarios that would allow it to play this year.
While players who are cut won’t get paid, they will be offered health insurance until the end of June. There also is a chance that being let go won’t mean the end of their WNBA dreams.
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Cooper, 23, is a guard from Baylor who was drafted by the Mercury in the second round of this year’s draft. In college, she was a two-time All-Big 12 First Team selection.
Johnson is a 21-year-old guard from Rider and led the NCAA in scoring her senior year, registering 24.8 points per game. Phoenix drafted her in the third round of this year’s draft.
Epoupa and Blicavs were training camp invitees. Epoupa is a 26-year-old point guard from France who has played professionally overseas. Blicavs is an Australian forward.
The Associated Press contributed to this story.
