Mercury name Monica Wright Rogers assistant general manager

“The Phoenix Mercury today announced that the team has named two-time WNBA Champion and NBA executive Monica Wright Rogers as assistant general manager,” the team said in a press release. “Wright Rogers will serve as a key connector between the front office, coaches, business operations staffs and players, assist with salary cap management, as well as overseeing operations and administration for the team at the Verizon 5G Lab. Additionally, she will assist with both collegiate and professional player evaluation and scouting.”

Wright Rogers, the No. 2 overall pick in the 2010 WNBA draft by the Minnesota Lynx out of the University of Virginia, played seven seasons in the league from 2010 to 2016. She averaged 11.1 points per game in her rookie season in 2010 and was a part of the 2011 and 2013 WNBA championship seasons for the Lynx.

From 2016 to 2018, she served as the Secretary-Treasurer of the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA). From Dec. 2017 to May 2018, she was the Director of Student-Athlete Development for the University of the Incarnate Word. From June 2018 to May 2019, she was an assistant coach at Liberty University. She then was an assistant coach at her alma mater, Virginia, from April 2019 to May 2021. She has been the NBA’s Elite Basketball Women’s Operations Lead since leaving her position with the Cavaliers.

 “I am extremely excited to join a world-class organization in the Phoenix Mercury,” said Wright Rogers in the release. “I was immediately drawn to this opportunity to learn from reputable leaders in Jim Pitman and James Jones, and to work alongside our tremendous coaching staff and athletes. As a former WNBA athlete, I know first-hand the high standards and the championship mentality embedded in the Mercury culture, and look forward to joining the team.”

Pitman, the Mercury’s general manager, was also quoted in the release, explaining a bit further what Wright Rogers’ duties will include.

“Monica brings great perspective to our newly-created role of assistant general manager as a former player, coach and most recently as an evaluator of international talent,” said Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman.  “We are excited to welcome Monica and her family to our organization and the Valley, and we look forward to adding her expertise to our operation as we pursue another WNBA championship.”