Transgender athlete debate draws dueling protests outside Fever-Liberty game
USA TODAY Sports’ Meghan L. Hall was on site ahead of Fever vs. Liberty in Brooklyn, NY to speak with protesters on opposing sides of the debate over transgender athletes in sports.
Sports Seriously, Studio IX
With less than 10 games remaining until the WNBA’s postseason begins, a veteran forward is hitting the open market.
DeWanna Bonner is a free agent after reaching a buyout agreement with the Phoenix Mercury, the team announced on Monday, Aug. 24. In statements released by the team, Bonner and Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said this gives the 39-year-old the chance to pursue a WNBA title in what could be her final appearance in the playoffs.
Bonner will first have to clear waivers before becoming an unrestricted free agent.
“DeWanna has been an important part of our team and brought tremendous leadership, experience and competitiveness to the Mercury,” U’Ren said in a statement. “Because of the relationship we have with DeWanna, we worked out a buyout agreement that gives her the opportunity to chase a title in what could be her final postseason. DeWanna will always be part of the Mercury family, and we wish her all the best.”
The Mercury were mathematically eliminated from playoff contention on Saturday when they lost 99-89 at home to the Atlanta Dream despite 38 points from Kahleah Copper.
Bonner had been third in scoring and rebounding for Phoenix this season, averaging 10.6 points and 6.1 rebounds per game. The Mercury tried to turn their season around at the trade deadline and bolster their roster by acquiring All-Star guard Kelsey Plum on an expiring contract, but the team couldn’t dig out of their deficit in the standings.
“Being able to return to Phoenix and play in front of the best fans in the WNBA these past two seasons has been an incredible experience,” Bonner said in a statement. “At this stage of my career, I don’t know what the future holds, but I’m grateful to the Mercury for giving me the opportunity to play in what could be one of my final postseason opportunities. The fans, this community and the Mercury organization have embraced me throughout my career, and I’ll always be grateful for that.”
One of the greatest small forwards in WNBA history, the versatile Bonner has spent most of her long WNBA career with the Mercury, who drafted her fifth overall out of Auburn in 2009. Bonner made the All-Rookie team and won her first of three WNBA Sixth Player of the Year awards, helping the Mercury win their second championship as a franchise. The Mercury won the title again in 2014 with Bonner starting all 34 games.
In 2020, the Mercury traded Bonner to the Connecticut Sun, where the club advanced to at least the semifinals of the playoffs every season she was there. In 2022, the Sun made the Finals but lost in four games to the Las Vegas Aces.
Ahead of the 2025 season, Bonner followed former Sun coach Stephanie White to the Indiana Fever and signed with the team, but was waived after appearing in nine games. Bonner said at the time “the fit did not work out” with the Fever and she was granted her release after Indiana failed to find a trade partner for her. That paved the way for her to rejoin the Mercury and her partner, Alyssa Thomas.
A six-time All-Star and two-time All-WNBA selection, Bonner ranks second all-time in WNBA games-played, trailing Hall of Famer Sue Bird by eight. She is also second all-time in free throws made, fifth in total rebounds and third in scoring.
For her career, Bonner averages 14.3 points, 6.1 rebounds, 2.2 assists and 1.2 steals per game while shooting 41.4% from the floor, 30.2% from 3-point land and 85.7% from the free throw line. Her veteran experience and ability to defend multiple positions while still being a serviceable scorer and rebounder should make her attractive to multiple playoff teams.
