PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury has waived guard C’eira Ricketts and forward Christine Flores, bringing their training camp roster to 14 players. Candice Dupree and DeWanna Bonner reported to camp Tuesday, and Diana Taurasi is expected to report following the USA Basketball training camp in Seattle on May 11-13.
Ricketts (Arkansas) was drafted in the second round (24th overall) of the 2012 WNBA Draft, and Flores (Missouri) was taken in the third round (30th overall).
The Mercury hosts the Japanese National Team Tuesday night in its only preseason game for the 2012 season. Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. at US Airways Center.
The Mercury also announced that forward Penny Taylor underwent successful surgery to repair the torn anterior cruciate ligament in her left knee, the club announced Tuesday. The surgery was conducted in Melbourne by knee surgeon Julian Feller. Taylor is expected to make a full recovery by the end of 2012.
Taylor sustained the injury March 29 while playing for Fenerbahce (Turkey) in the Euroleague Final 8 and will miss the entire WNBA season as well as the 2012 London Olympic Games.
The three-time WNBA All-Star will rejoin the Mercury for the 2012 season to continue the rehabilitation process. She is expected to return to Phoenix prior to the May 20 season opener in Minnesota and is cleared to participate in all team-related activities. While unable to play, Taylor will be listed as an active player on the 11-player roster.
The Mercury tips off the regular season on May 20 in Minnesota against the defending champion Lynx. The game tips off at 9:30 a.m. (Arizona time) and will be broadcast on ABC. The Mercury will make its home debut on May 26 when it hosts Candace Parker and the Los Angeles Sparks at 7 p.m. Tickets starting as low as $10 are available at phoenixmercury.com or by calling 602-252-WNBA.
