How Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner is starting at ‘ground zero’ ahead of 2026 season
How Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner is starting at ‘ground zero’ ahead of 2026 season appeared first on ClutchPoints . Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here .
PHOENIX– DeWanna Bonner is running it back with the Phoenix Mercury yet again. It’s not a total shocker, but her mindset entering the 2026 season seems to be as sharp as ever.
With teammates like Kiana Williams admiring the veteran’s physical condition as she enters her 17th season, much of that preparation had to do with getting her mental health right.
Although Bonner shared her mental health journey before the Mercury’s WNBA Finals run , it was more about withstanding the consistent backlash after she departed from the Indiana Fever .
As soon as Phoenix lost the Finals, her goal was to get her mind away from basketball.
“It’s great,” Bonner explained when asked if her mental health has improved. “I took some time away from basketball. Started from ground zero.
“Found my passion, my love… I went into the modeling lane a little bit, and I tried to get my mind off of it. Focused on my kids.”
She talked about finding that passion for the game once she returned to the team that drafted her. Still, the online harassment didn’t make matters easier and made it difficult to ignore.
What keeps Mercury’s DeWanna Bonner going
For someone with her career accolades, she’s done just about everything. Win a WNBA title, All-WNBA teams, a three-time Sixth Player of the Year, the list goes on.
Despite an abrupt ending to her time in Indiana– it doesn’t– nor should it discredit what she’s done. She averaged nearly 11 points per game in 24.4 minutes while only starting one game.
As an instrumental part of that Mercury team , it felt right to come back. She always mentioned that Phoenix “is home,” but elaborated a little more on her motivation to keep playing.
Related: Mercury’s Kahleah Copper gives hilarious reaction to Nate Tibbetts’s USA Basketball stint
