Former WNBA veteran and All-Star Chasity Melvin has joined the Phoenix Mercury as an assistant coach the franchise announced early this week.
Melvin will replace Penny Taylor who announced she will step away from coaching to focus on being a full-time mother.
Melvin is a 12-year WNBA vet who began her coaching career in the NBA Player Development Assistant Coaches Program in 2018. She went on to coach the Charlotte Hornets G-League affiliate the Greensboro Swarm. From 2019-2020 Melvin was hired as an assistant coach for Loyola University Maryland's women's basketball team.
Thanks for the welcome. I am excited to be a part of the rich tradition of the @PhoenixMercury family. I look forward to getting on the court with the staff and players. Let's Go… I love this Game!
✨©️〽️ pic.twitter.com/CriJtcb6GQ— Chasity Melvin (@chasitymelvin) July 7, 2020
"Creating opportunities for former players to grow in our game is central to our mission and an important part of that is ensuring that we are replacing a former WNBA player on our coaching staff with another former player," said Mercury General Manager Jim Pitman per release. "Chasity knows what it takes to compete at the highest levels, thanks to her time in the WNBA, and already has experience coaching both the women's and the men's games. We are excited to welcome her to The Valley and the Mercury family."
Melvin was originally drafted as the No. 12 overall pick of the 1999 WNBA draft out of NC State. During her 12 seasons in the league, Melvin played for the Chicago Sky and the Washington Mystics and was named an All-Star in 2001.
The 2020 22-game WNBA season is scheduled to tip at the end of July and will be held at IMG Academy in Florida.
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