Sug Sutton is in the midst of her second season with the Phoenix Mercury, and the team has nearly matched its win total from last season in less than half the time.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!Phoenix, 8-8, has seen a resurgence as compared to last season. When asked about what makes this specific group difference, Sutton immediately credited the added championship pedigree.
“The biggest difference is just our energy every single day,” said Sutton. “We have championship players on our team, they’re bringing that every single day to practice, they’re bringing that as leaders. I think that’s the biggest difference… I’m super excited to come out here every single day and work… We have fun, we’re excited, and we have energy every single day.”
Sutton started her career with the Washington Mystics in 2020, playing 12 games before getting waived on May 13, 2021. It took Sutton two years to make it back to the WNBA, as the Mercury took a chance on Sutton in 2023.
“Our first mentality is defense.”
Mercury guard @sugsutton discussed how Phoenix’s point guard rotation of Natasha Cloud (@T_Cloud4), @CharismaOsborne and herself all pride themselves on the same gritty mentality.#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/zUBkwljKLK
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 27, 2024
The 5-foot-8 guard provided a small glimmer of hope to a 9-31 Mercury team last season, averaging 8.2 points per game and 4.8 assists through all 40 games.
Although Sutton has seen a reduced role in 2024, being around Olympic-level talent and vocal veterans has helped her maturity in the pros.
“I’ve seen a lot of [growth in] maturity,” said Sutton. “I think this year, I’m kind of learning from Olympians, really great players. And also we have a really good point guard, Tash [Cloud]. I’m able to learn from her every single day. She’s a good leader, she’s won a championship, so just taking that with me every day I come into practice.”
Sutton credited Cloud for her leadership, and finds herself in a rather similar mold. A smaller point-guard who prides themselves on tenacious defense and a gritty style of play. Sutton is excited to be under her wing, and is ready to learn how to be a leader.
Phoenix Mercury guard @sugsutton spoke on the growth in maturity that she’s seen being surrounded by Phoenix’s veteran core.
She touched on how that presence has helped her settle into more of a leadership role through her young career.#ValleyTogether #WNBA pic.twitter.com/WJJb2VEpcn
— Burn City Sports (@BurnCitySports) June 27, 2024
“Trying to learn some leadership roles,” Sutton said. “I think that’s one of the biggest things that I have to work on coming into my game, and I think that I have this season. Just coming onto the floor and just giving everything that I have.”
Sutton, 25, is one of the younger players on a rather experienced Mercury team. But that doesn’t make her the youngest.
Charisma Osborne, a 22-year-old Mercury rookie, just played her first game as a pro against the Minnesota Lynx on Saturday. Sutton did her best to encourage Osborne through her exciting yet nerveracking debut.
“It was super exciting,” Sutton said. “It was fun to watch her get out there [and] score her first points. Super happy for her. I knew she was nervous, I just told her to go out there and just give it her all.”
Phoenix Mercury working on half-court execution, guarding the 3-point line ahead of the weekend
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Justin LaCertosa covers Phoenix Sports News for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @LaCertosaSports
