Kahleah Copper has been a revelation for the Phoenix Mercury through the team’s first 11 games. Averaging 23.5 points per game, Copper ranks third in the WNBA in points per game thus far.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Copper, 29, is having a career-year in her first season in The Valley. She nailed arguably the best game-winning shot of the season thus far against Minnesota and scored eight points in double overtime in Phoenix’s win over Dallas on Sunday.
If the WNBA had a Clutch Player of the Year award, Copper would surely be among the top contenders.
However, what has gone unnoticed is Copper’s high-level defense. Copper is one of Phoenix’s more reliable defenders thanks to her size and length. She plays her matchups straight-up, and is averaging a career-high 1.1 steals per game.
Against the Dallas Wings, Copper took the responsibility of guarding Arike Ogunbowale — who is one of just two players to rank higher than Copper in points per game. Ogunbowale’s 26.6 points per game is a career-high, and she previously scored a season-high 40 points against the Mercury on May 25.
Ogunbowale still managed to score 25 points against Phoenix, but this time, on 9-f0r-27 shooting. Ogunbowale shot 11-for-24 against the Mercury in their previous matchup, but this time, Copper was able to contain the Minnesota star on route to the victory.
Kahleah Copper discussed how she approached guarding Arike Ogunbowale tonight:
"Good players, you just got to slow them down," said Copper. "I was trying to make sure I was contesting every shot."
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“Good players, you just got to slow them down,” said Copper after the game. “I was trying to make sure I was contesting every shot. You know, [Ogunbowale’s] super shifty, super fast. I just want to be able to stay in front and contest shots.”
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
