Phoenix Mercury sign veteran guard Leilani Mitchell

The Phoenix Mercury signed veteran guard Leilani Mitchell. She returns to the Mercury after playing in all 34 games for Phoenix in 2015, participating  in the Rio Olympics with Australia and appearing in 10 games with Washington last season.

“Leilani is one of the best shooters in our game,” said Mercury general manager Jim Pitman. “She was an important contributor for us as our point guard in a 20-win season in 2015, and we are excited to have her back in a Mercury uniform. She gives us another guard who can create and shoot, and she helps us spread the floor with Brittney Griner down low.”

In 2015 with Phoenix, Mitchell was fourth in the WNBA in three-point percentage (39.9 percent) and seventh in three-pointers made (44).  Originally selected by the Mercury with the 25th overall pick in the 2008 WNBA Draft, she was traded to New York before her rookie season. She was the WNBA’s Most Improved Player in 2010 when she shot a league-best 48.6-percent from long range, knocking down a career-best 72 three-pointers. Currently with the WNBL’s Sydney Uni Flames, the 31-year-old Mitchell leads her team in scoring, assists and steals.