A new wave is coming for the Phoenix Mercury—but not everyone’s ready for what’s next. The offseason is shaping up to be one of the busiest in recent memory, and the team faces major decisions about its future. Some of Phoenix’s biggest contributors—Kahleah Copper, Satou Sabally, and Alyssa Thomas—are heading into free agency. And that’s not all: DeWanna Bonner and Sami Whitcomb are also set to test the waters, leaving the Mercury with more questions than answers about who will suit up in 2026.
But here’s what most people might overlook: Phoenix isn’t alone in navigating this uncertainty. Several rival teams will also see their star players hit free agency, which could reshape the entire balance of the league. Amid all this potential chaos, one steady presence remains—the powerful center Kalani Brown.
Still under contract, Brown is expected to play a vital role in Phoenix’s upcoming campaign. Before making waves in the WNBA, Brown built a name for herself at Baylor University, a program that’s quietly become a powerhouse factory for pro-level talent. Baylor’s influence on the league is deeper than many realize—the school has produced 18 WNBA players, most of whom continue to make an impact today.
Let’s rewind to where it all started. The trailblazing Sheila Lambert became Baylor’s first WNBA draftee in 2002, selected seventh overall by the Charlotte Sting. She grabbed a championship with the Detroit Shock just a year later, setting the foundation for the program’s legacy. That same year, Danielle Crockrom followed suit, joining the Utah Starzz and appearing in 18 games during her rookie season.
Fast forward a few years, and the next big name to emerge was Sophia Young-Malcolm. During her senior season at Baylor, she filled up the stat sheet with 22.3 points, 10 rebounds, 2.2 steals, and 2.1 assists per game—numbers that made her impossible to ignore. Drafted by the San Antonio Silver Stars, she went on to enjoy a stellar WNBA career, proving that Baylor’s talent pipeline was no fluke.
After those early pioneers, the momentum only grew. Fifteen more Bears have since transitioned to the WNBA, including superstar Brittney Griner, drafted by the Mercury in 2013. Griner became one of the franchise’s defining players before recently signing with the Atlanta Dream. The trend continued with Odyssey Sims, the second overall pick in 2014, and later with Alexis Prince and Te’a Cooper—both drafted by Phoenix, though Cooper never took the court for the team.
Baylor’s record of developing elite players remains strong today, with recent names like DiJonai Carrington and NaLyssa Smith carrying the tradition forward. And that begs the question: Is Baylor quietly the best WNBA-producing program of the last two decades?
As Kalani Brown looks ahead to another year in Phoenix, she joins a list of remarkable Baylor alumni who continue to shape the league’s identity. Her growth, both as a player and leader, could make her an anchor for the Mercury’s next chapter. But with so many moving parts around the league, will Phoenix—and Brown—be ready to rise again?
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And here’s a thought to debate: Does Baylor’s consistent success in the WNBA prove it’s the most underrated factory for professional women’s basketball talent, or are there other programs that deserve the crown? What do you think?
