After not re-signing guard Celeste Taylor following the expiration of her seven-day contract, the Phoenix Mercury had a 72-hour window to make a corresponding move as they were below the WNBA requirement of 11 players on its roster.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Having 10 players on the team as well as Rebecca Allen and Charisma Osborne both being out with injuries, the Mercury opted to sign former Atlanta Dream forward Monique Billings to a seven-day contract on Sunday.
The Phoenix Mercury has signed former Atlanta Dream forward Monique Billings to a seven-day contract after the expiration of Celeste Taylor's short-term deal. #ValleyTogether #WNBA https://t.co/RqpdskNyrS
— Burn City Mercury (@BurnCityMercury) August 18, 2024
Billings, a second-round pick by the Dream in the 2018 WNBA Draft, spent six seasons (2018-23) in Atlanta. Playing in 176 games (44 starts), the UCLA product averaged 5.9 points, 5.8 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 18.7 minutes played per game.
Her stint as a Dream came to an end this past offseason as she went on to sign a hardship contract with the Dallas Wings. The Californian is averaging a career-best 8.8 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game across 24 games (12 starts) this season. She recorded five double-doubles this season and provided the Wings with being a reliable player on both ends of the court.
Just as her new deal was confirmed with Phoenix, the 6-foot-4 forward is hyped to be in the Valley before the Mercury takes on the Chicago Sky tonight.
“IT’S GAMEDAY Phoenix Mercury!” Billings said on X/Twitter.
ITS GAMEDAYYYYYYYY @PhoenixMercury !
— Monique Billings (@moniquebillings) August 18, 2024
With Allen out indefinitely with a right hamstring injury and Taylor now with the Connecticut Sun, Billings has the experience to be a dependable bench player who can even start if called upon.
The Mercury and Sky face each other for the second time this week tonight at 6 p.m. PT inside Footprint Center.
Phoenix Mercury to celebrate 10th anniversary of 2014 championship team
*Get the BEST Phoenix sports insider information, and exclusive content. SIGN UP HEREÂ to unlock our premium content!*
Reporter Alec Cipollini covers ASU Athletics, the Phoenix Mercury and more for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @AlecCipollini
