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2021 WNBA Rookie of the Year winner Michaela Nne Onyenwere traded to Phoenix Mercury.
Nigerian-American basketball Michaela Nne Onyenwere has been traded to the Phoenix Mercury.
In a four-team deal, Onyenwere was traded from the New York Liberty to the Phoenix Mercury on Saturday, February 11, 2023.
The Phoenix Mercury, New York Liberty, Chicago Sky, and Dallas Wings all worked together in an exchange for players and assets.
A four-way trade sends Onyenwere to Phoenix, Marina Mabrey to Chicago, Diamond DeShields to Dallas, and the Rights to Leonie Fiebich to New York.
The Mercury receive the 2024 3rd round pick from Chicago and the 2025 2nd round pick from Chicago.
The Wings receive a 2023 1st round pick from Chicago, a 2024 1st round pick from Chicago, and the rights to swap 2025 1st round picks with Chicago.
The Sky receive a 2024 2nd round pick from Phoenix while the Liberty receive a 2024 2nd round pick from Chicago and the rights to swap 2025 1st round picks with Phoenix.
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Onyenwere traded to Phoenix Mercury
Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman praised the arrival of Onyenwere to the team.
He said, "Ultimately, this deal provided the opportunity to acquire a former Rookie of the Year and add additional cap space to help us build our roster.
"Michaela is a player who can be dynamic at both ends of the floor and has already shown her potential in this league. She will be a great, versatile addition to our roster."
The 23-year-old Onyenwere was born to Nigerian immigrants in Aurora, Colorado, the United States of America.
Onyenwere spent four years at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) Bruins women's basketball program
The New York Liberty selected her with the sixth overall pick in the first round of the 2021 WNBA Draft.
In her first season in the WNBA, Onyenwere won the Rookie of the Year accolade and has since become one of the stars of the league.
Born in the United States, Onyenwere is still eligible to play for Nigeria's senior women's team known as D'Tigress.
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