Phoenix Mercury sign Sancho Lyttle

The Phoenix Mercury signed forward Sancho Lyttle on the first day that teams can sign free agents in 2018.

“Sancho was our top free-agent target outside our own roster and we are truly excited that she chose Phoenix,” Mercury general manager Jim Pitman said. “The last two WNBA MVPs have been elite frontcourt players from Western Conference teams and their clubs have won championships. It takes elite defensive frontcourt players to compete with that, and to pair Sancho with Brittney Griner is ideal for us. Sancho has won everywhere she has played, our goal is to win a championship, and we are confident this move gets us closer.”

Lyttle is a six-time WNBA All-Defensive Team selection and four-time Second Team (2009, 2010, 2011, 2015) honoree. At 6-4, she is one of only two players in WNBA history who have led the league in steals in three seasons or more.

“I was fortunate to coach Sancho in Russia for several years and she is a true pro,” Mercury head coach Sandy Brondello said. “She knows where to be on both ends, she has championship experience all over the world, and she makes her teammates better. I’ve seen her play with Diana Taurasi and Brittney Griner and I know how well she will fit in with our team and how much better she will make us.”