Valeriane Ayayi - WNBA News, Rumors, & Updates

Seattle visits Phoenix after Johnson's 24-point game

Seattle visits the Phoenix Mercury after Flau'jae Johnson scored 24 points in the Storm's 105-90 win against the Atlanta Dream

5 HOURS AGO • Associated Press

Underrated offseason addition is finally answering glaring Mercury need The Phoenix Mercury have finally gotten some wins and great production from Valeriane Ayayi.

2 DAYS AGO • HIGHPOSTHOOPS.COM

Pops for 20 points Saturday Ayayi accumulated 20 points (7-14 FG, 2-5 3Pt, 4-4 FT), six rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block across 27 minutes in Saturday's 89-80 win over Toronto.

Impact Ayayi's recent surge hit a new high Saturday, as she totaled a season-best 20 points in a winning effort. The forward has played at least 20 minutes off the bench in each of the past four games and has capitalized on the increased opportunities, averaging 16.5 points, 5.5 rebounds, 1.8 assists and 1.0 steals during that stretch. Ayayi's recent play should position her to continue seeing an expanded role moving forward.

3 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Mercury beat the Tempo 89-80 in a game missing Alyssa Thomas and Marina Mabrey

Kahleah Copper scored 27 points, Valeriane Ayayi had a career-high 20 and the Phoenix Mercury beat the Toronto Tempo 89-80 on Saturday in a game in which both teams were without a...

3 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Drops season-high 19 points in win Ayayi accumulated 19 points (5-8 FG, 1-4 3Pt, 8-9 FT), three rebounds, two assists and one steal in 28 minutes during Wednesday's 111-109 victory over the Fever.

Impact Although Ayayi has continued to appear off the bench for the Mercury, she's seen an uptick in production across the past few matchups, as she's scored in double figures in two of her last three appearances. During that time, the 32-year-old has averaged 15.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in 23.3 minutes per game.

5 DAYS AGO • ROTOWIRE

Kahleah Copper scores 28, Mercury beat Fever 111-109 as Clark leaves due to back injury

Kahleah Copper made 15 of 16 from the free-throw line and finished with 28 points, and the Phoenix Mercury beat Indiana 111-109 after Fever star Caitlin Clark left with a back inju...

6 DAYS AGO • Associated Press

Caitlin Clark's back injury comes at worst possible time for Indiana Fever The Indiana Fever suffered a massive lineup blow, as Caitlin Clark left Wednesday's game against the Phoenix Mercury with a back injury that...

6 DAYS AGO • THEBIGLEAD.COM

Double-double off bench Saturday Ayayi supplied 18 points (4-7 FG, 2-4 3Pt, 8-8 FT), 10 rebounds and one block across 22 minutes in Saturday's 93-73 win over Seattle.

Impact Ayayi broke out in a major way, setting season highs in both points and rebounds as part of an efficient double-double. In her first WNBA season, the 32-year-old has struggled to carve out a consistent role, entering Saturday averaging 2.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.2 assists in 8.9 minutes per contest across 10 appearances. Given her largest workload of the season against Seattle, Ayayi capitalized with a stellar effort that could help earn her additional playing time moving forward.

JUNE 21 • ROTOWIRE

Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm

Valeriane Ayayi had 18 points and 10 rebounds and the Phoenix Mercury snapped a four-game losing streak by extending the Seattle Storm’s skid to 10 straight in a 93-73 victory

JUNE 20 • Associated Press

Limited to nine minutes Ayayi contributed three points (0-1 FG, 3-4 FT) across nine minutes during Wednesday's 84-74 loss to the Liberty.

Impact Ayayi continues to be used sparingly by the Mercury. Across five appearances, she's averaging a mere 11.4 minutes with 4.0 points, 2.2 rebounds, 1.0 assists and 0.6 steals on 35.7 percent shooting from the field.

MAY 28 • ROTOWIRE

Scores three points in loss Ayayi logged three points (0-1 FG, 3-6 FT), three rebounds, one assist and two steals across 12 minutes during Tuesday's 98-90 loss to the Tempo.

Impact Ayayi continues to play a modest role with the second unit. Through three games, she's averaging 5.7 points, 3.0 rebounds, 1.7 assists and 1.0 steals in 14.0 minutes per contest.

MAY 20 • ROTOWIRE

Not starting against Sky Ayayi won't start in Friday's game versus Chicago, Hayden Cilley of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Impact Ayayi missed the first two games to begin the season before starting in Tuesday's 88-84 loss to Minnesota, finishing with six points, four rebounds, three assists and one steal across 17 minutes. However, with Jovana Nogic re-entering the starting lineup, Ayaya will come off the bench.

MAY 16 • ROTOWIRE

Starting Tuesday Ayayi will start Tuesday's game against the Lynx, Hayden Cilley of ClutchPoints.com reports.

Impact After getting FIBA clearance and being activated Tuesday, Ayayi will get the starting nod in her Mercury debut. As a result, Jovana Nogic will slide to the second unit.

MAY 13 • ROTOWIRE

Set to active Ayayi was set to active on Tuesday.

Impact Ayayi was previously waiting for FIBA clearance, but she's all set to be available moving forward. It remains to be seen what type of role she will have Tuesday against the Lynx.

MAY 12 • ROTOWIRE

Awaiting FIBA clearance Ayayi (reconditioning) had her contract partially suspended Thursday while waiting for FIBA clearance, Shane Young of the Mercury's official site reports.

Impact Ayayi is waiting on a letter of clearance that will grant her permission to play both overseas and for the Mercury. Marta Suarez and Kiana Williams could see an increase in minutes for Phoenix until Ayayi makes her 2026 debut.

MAY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Contract suspended by Phoenix The Mercury temporarily suspended Ayayi's (reconditioning) contract Thursday.

Impact Ayayi will mis at least the first game of the 2026 after having her contract temporarily suspended. It's not clear when she'll be ready to see her first action of the new campaign.

MAY 7 • ROTOWIRE

Back with team Ayayi rejoined the Mercury on Friday following her overseas commitment, per Jenna Ortiz of The Arizona Republic.

Impact Ayayi missed Phoenix's preseason while working internationally, but she's back at training camp for the Mercury. She'll hope to make the final roster ahead the May 9 regular-season opener against the Aces.

MAY 1 • ROTOWIRE

Remains away from team Ayayi (overseas commitment) won't play in Wednesday's exhibition game against Japan, Jenna Ortiz of The Arizona Republic reports.

Impact Ayayi remains overseas and won't join the Mercury for their final exhibition game ahead of the regular season. If she earns a spot on the regular-season roster, her next opportunity to play would be in the team's regular-season opener against the Aces on May 9.

APRIL 28 • ROTOWIRE

Not yet with team Ayayi (not injury related) isn't yet with the Mercury and won't play in Saturday's preseason opener against the Sky, freelance Mercury writer Jeff Metcalfe reports.

Impact Ayayi wasn't listed on the Mercury's injury report ahead of Saturday's preseason matchup, but head coach Nate Tibbetts said earlier this week that the forward isn't expected to join the team until at least next week, so she won't suit up Saturday. Once Ayayi is back with the team, she'll have an opportunity to compete for an Opening Night roster spot.

APRIL 25 • ROTOWIRE

Not listed on injury report Ayayi isn't listed on Phoenix's injury report for Saturday's preseason game against the Sky, freelance Mercury writer Jeff Metcalfe reports.

Impact Ayayi finished her obligations to the Czech club USK Praha before joining Phoenix for training camp. She'll have an uphill battle to earn a spot on the Opening Night roster.

APRIL 24 • ROTOWIRE

Late arrival to camp Ayayi isn't with the Mercury to begin training camp due to overseas commitments, freelance Mercury writer Jeff Metcalfe reports.

Impact Ayayi signed a contract with the Mercury last weekend, but she'll finish out her obligations to Czech club USK Praha before joining Phoenix for training camp. Ayayi hasn't competed for a roster spot in training camp since the 2020 campaign, when she was waived by the Sun ahead of the regular season.

APRIL 20 • ROTOWIRE

PHOENIX MERCURY SIGN FRENCH FORWARDS VALÉRIANE AYAYI AND NOÉMIE BROCHANT PHOENIX – The Phoenix Mercury have signed forward and two-time Olympic medalist Valériane Ayayi. They have also signed forward Noémie Brocha...

APRIL 13 • WNBA.COM

Inks pact with Phoenix Ayayi agreed to a contract with the Mercury on Sunday.

Impact The details of the deal are unclear, though Ayayi will presumably compete for a spot on the Mercury's regular-season roster. The 31-year-old forward appeared in 24 games for USK Praha in the Czech Republic in 2025-26, averaging 13.9 points, 5.7 rebounds, 4.4 assists and 1.8 steals across 22.2 minutes per tilt.

APRIL 12 • ROTOWIRE

VALERIANE AYAYI NEWS

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GAME LOG

Seattle visits Phoenix after Johnson's 24-point game

Mercury beat the Tempo 89-80 in a game missing Alyssa Thomas and Marina Mabrey

Kahleah Copper scores 28, Mercury beat Fever 111-109 as Clark leaves due to back injury

Mercury end 4-game losing streak with 93-73 rout of reeling Storm