TEMPE — The Valley Suns will start March in threads that honor a vital piece of Arizona basketball history.
The club unveiled its Phoenix Mercury Night uniforms on Monday, a tribute to the WNBA team and its 2009 championship run — the second title that cemented a dynasty and reshaped the state’s sports identity.
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The design pulls directly from the Mercury’s iconic all-purple uniform with ornate accents, including “Valley” in the original Mercury font. The 2009 team, led by Finals MVP Diana Taurasi and All-Star guard Cappie Pondexter, captured the championship in Game 5 with a road victory in Indiana, finishing one of the franchise’s most offensively dominant seasons in league history.
Jun 8, 2010; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Phoenix Mercury forward Diana Taurasi (3) is defended by Los Angeles Sparks forward Tina Thompson (32) at the Staples Center. The Sparks defeated the Mercury 92-91. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee/Image of Sport-USA TODAY Sports
In 2009, the Mercury averaged around 92.8 points per game according to Statmuse, redefining tempo and spacing in the WNBA. That style of play, including a high volume of 3-point shooting, helped spark broader trends that would later sweep through professional basketball.
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For the Suns, it is a tribute that ties nostalgia to a championship standard. The Valley’s honor of Mercury history reinforces cross-brand loyalty and a shared community identity.
The Phoenix Mercury’s Diana Taurasi (3) celebrates with her teammates after defeating the Indiana Fever to win the WNBA Finals at US Airways Center on Oct. 9, 2009. © Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Fans who have followed Valley basketball will see a visual callback to one of the most dominant dynasties in the desert and the story behind Phoenix’s second championship. Symbolism matters, and acknowledging those who helped bring national attention to Arizona reflects that their impact still carries on.
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The threads honor a trophy, but they also represent the excellence that captivated a fanbase and helped define a league long after the final buzzer.
August 28, 2010; San Antonio, TX, USA; Phoenix Mercury players (from left) Temeka Johnson and Tangela Smith and Diana Taurasi and Kara Braxton and Penny Taylor wait for the start of the second quarter against the San Antonio Silver Stars during the first half at the AT&T Center. Phoenix beat San Antonio 92-73. Mandatory Credit: Brendan Maloney-USA TODAY Sports
