DeWanna Bonner felt the love from the home crowd at PHX Arena and gave it back when the in-arena camera showed her on the big screen on Monday, July 7.
Less than 24 hours before officially signing with the Phoenix Mercury, Bonner all but confirmed the reports of her signing by sitting courtside next to Mercury President Vince Kozar to watch the Mercury play the Dallas Wings.
With thousands of Mercury fans watching her on the screen, Bonner amped up the crowd and showed a big heart hand.
鈥淲atching last night was definitely different from when I was here six years ago, but the fans were still the exact same,鈥 Bonner said. 鈥淭hey still knew me by name, and they embraced me and they loved on me a little bit. I texted Vince, and I was like, 鈥楾hank you for this, it鈥檚 where I needed to be at this time in my career.鈥欌
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A day later, Bonner was happily participating as the team did a rock, paper, scissors challenge following practice. Though Bonner didn鈥檛 win and Kit Laksa was crowned the champion, she鈥檚 back to a place that feels like home.
Bonner is a vital part of the Mercury鈥檚 history as the former fifth overall pick in 2009 spent an entire decade in Phoenix. Alongside Diana Taurasi, Bonner helped lead the Mercury to titles in 2009 and 2014.
ESPN first reported Bonner鈥檚 reunion with the Mercury on July 7. Head coach Nate Tibbetts and forward Alyssa Thomas, Bonner鈥檚 fiance虂, declined to comment on the report before it was made official.
Bonner鈥檚 split from the Indiana Fever this season was highly publicized. The 16-year veteran didn鈥檛 see a lot of playing time, averaging 21.3 minutes with three starts in nine games. She produced career lows (7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds) before taking five games away for personal reasons and was then released on June 25.
Indiana Fever forward DeWanna Bonner (25) in action vs. the Chicago Sky in Indianapolis on May 17, 2025.聽
While many rumors swirled as to why she left, Bonner shut down those who said she selfishly quit on Indiana in an Instagram post.
鈥淎 quitter!! Nah, never have been that!!鈥 Bonner said. 鈥淏ut when the time comes ... Let鈥檚 just make sure the apologies are just as loud as the disrespect!鈥
Bonner said the Mercury鈥檚 coaching staff not only gave her a warm welcome but also made sure to check on her mental health before making any major decisions.
Through a team statement, Bonner said the fit in Indiana didn鈥檛 work out, and the organization granted her request to move on.
The team couldn鈥檛 find a trade suitor to take on her contract, which then allowed her to be a free agent.
The 6-foot-4 wing has career averages of 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and was sought after by teams.
But Phoenix had the edge.
鈥淚t鈥檚 home. I know I鈥檓 going to get the love and the support,鈥 Bonner said. 鈥淚 know a lot of ladies on the team, but I鈥檓 just excited to be back home and the familiarity around this city. I just got here (July 7) and everything is sinking in, but I just wanted to be back home, and it was time.鈥
Phoenix Mercury's DeWanna Bonner (24) celebrates with Diana Taurasi and Penny Taylor (13) as the team wins the WNBA championship 87-82 over the Chicago Sky in Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, Sept. 12, 2014, in Chicago.聽
In terms of her role with the Mercury, who are second in the WNBA, Bonner was told by the coaching staff to be herself.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 have to do anything extra,鈥 Bonner said. 鈥淚 was a little worried because they are a team that has great chemistry already, so that went into my decision-making process, as well, but they reassured that they wanted me here and needed me here.鈥
The Mercury are dealing with injuries to stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who are both day-to-day. Sabally injured her right ankle on July 3 and is in a boot, while Copper is sidelined with a hamstring injury.
To prepare for Bonner鈥檚 roster spot, the Mercury waived forward Murjanatu Musa before announcing Bonner鈥檚 signing.
Musa appeared in 12 games and averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. She had not appeared in the last three games, despite being available. She played three minutes in her last appearance on June 27 against the New York Liberty.
Spotrac has Bonner on the Mercury鈥檚 payroll on an unprotected contract of $43,721.
Bonner will also be reunited with Thomas, with whom she spent five seasons on the Connecticut Sun. The two were one of the WNBA鈥檚 best tandems on the court and are engaged off of it.
However, Bonner鈥檚 history suggests that the two never let their personal lives get in the way of their play.
鈥淚t鈥檚 a job, and we come in this as teammates and this is business,鈥 Bonner said. 鈥淲e want to win, first and foremost, and we want to do it in the most professional way. That鈥檚 what we鈥檝e been doing and what we鈥檒l continue to do. Off the court, we live our life like normal people.鈥
