Phoenix Mercury stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper showcase cornhole skills for charity

Phoenix Mercury stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper swapped basketballs for bean bags to take part in a celebrity cornhole event on Friday.

The American Cornhole League’s “Cornhole for a Cause” event at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa saw eight different teams competing for $5,000 to go to a charity of their choice.

Both Sabally and Copper were playing on behalf of the Phoenix Suns/Phoenix Mercury Foundation.

“We have a great foundation, and I love what we’re doing, so we wanted to pour into that,” Copper said.

Sabally and Copper were included in a star-studded lineup also featuring former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher and Phoenix Suns guard Damion Lee.

Live from the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa as Phoenix Mercury stars Kahleah Copper and Satou Sabally will take part in “Cornhole for a Cause.”

The event will also be broadcast on ESPN2 from 8 to 10 p.m. #WNBA #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/7mCKaK7iI1

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 3, 2025

Each of the celebrities were paired with an ACL pro player, which saw Sabally and Copper square off head-to-head. Copper played alongside Lexi Hugeback and Sabally was aided by Chris Roybal.

“Honestly, finding out a new technique,” Sabally said of what her favorite part of the event was. “Chris really taught me how to throw it. I think I need to convert that a little bit more but just following through just like in basketball.”

Phoenix Mercury players Celeste Taylor, Alexis Prince, Kathryn Westbeld, Sami Whitcomb, Monique Akoa Makani and Megan McConnell all showed up in support of Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper.#WNBA #ValleyTogether https://t.co/Pkp8Zzx0aA pic.twitter.com/feuPAheyKf

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 3, 2025

With a handful of Mercury teammates in attendance showing their support, Sabally got the best of Copper in the preliminary round to advance to the next round.

Satou Sabally’s team defeats Kahleah Copper’s team to advance to the finals. #WNBA #ValleyTogether https://t.co/3DmlFqvToU pic.twitter.com/WRjHFETW8q

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 3, 2025

“We were super nervous, like we didn’t just play in the Olympics or something,” Copper said. “We were really nervous, but I feel like our pros, they made us feel super comfortable and really helped us, so it was a great experience.”

Unfortunately for the Mercury, Sabally’s team was routed by NBA impersonator Brandon Armstrong and ACL pro Gina Ramirez in the next round.

Satou Sabally’s team is defeated.#WNBA #ValleyTogether https://t.co/JbgK21A1vK pic.twitter.com/g5MsJ3kD1P

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 3, 2025

Urlacher and ACL pro Jacob Trzcienski ended up winning the competition, and $5,000 went to Yaqui Animal Rescue, a non-profit, no-kill animal sanctuary.

“Yo, it was super fun,” Copper said after the event. “I’m such a crazy competitor, like I was really in the gym practicing. But super fun event, for a great cause, and just to get us outside of the basketball court for a little bit.”

Phoenix Mercury stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper recount their experiences after participating in the “Cornhole for a Cause” event in Mesa.#WNBA #ValleyTogether pic.twitter.com/8pUbcTKmLB

— Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 3, 2025

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