The Phoenix Mercury enjoyed part of the rewards of victory from their recent 2014 WNBA championship win when they visited the nation's capital on Wednesday and received a warm welcome from the U.S. President.
During their visit to the White House, President Obama praised the Phoenix Mercury, for not only being great players but also for being impressive role models for girls.
The team's visit on Wednesday occurred on the 95th anniversary of the authorization of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America that gave women voting rights.
During the ceremony, President Obama joked that, in order to arrive at the White House, the Mercury had to defeat his hometown team of Chicago Sky last year, to sweep the series to secure their third title in eight years.
It had been five years since the last time the Phoenix Mercury team visited the White House. During that time, they have competed in four of the Western Conference competitions. This time, Phoenix swept Los Angeles Sparks in the playoffs opening round and defeated Minnesota Lynx in the conference finals before prevailing over Chicago.
The Mercury ended the regular season 29-5, to smash the league record for victories. DeWanna Bonner scored a team-high 21 points, assisting the Mercury to win the seventh playoff berth in nine years.
The team has put in a fantastic performance and, if their present form continues, there's a high possibility for repeating the victory next year.
As a gesture of thanks for the warm welcome received, Diana Taurasi, the former University of Connecticut star who played for the Mercury last season, presented President Obama with a Mercury mesh with the President's name on the back.
During their visit to the White House, President Obama praised the Phoenix Mercury, for not only being great players but also for being impressive role models for girls.
The team's visit on Wednesday occurred on the 95th anniversary of the authorization of the 19th Amendment of the Constitution of the United States of America that gave women voting rights.
During the ceremony, President Obama joked that, in order to arrive at the White House, the Mercury had to defeat his hometown team of Chicago Sky last year, to sweep the series to secure their third title in eight years.
It had been five years since the last time the Phoenix Mercury team visited the White House. During that time, they have competed in four of the Western Conference competitions. This time, Phoenix swept Los Angeles Sparks in the playoffs opening round and defeated Minnesota Lynx in the conference finals before prevailing over Chicago.
The Mercury ended the regular season 29-5, to smash the league record for victories. DeWanna Bonner scored a team-high 21 points, assisting the Mercury to win the seventh playoff berth in nine years.
The team has put in a fantastic performance and, if their present form continues, there's a high possibility for repeating the victory next year.
As a gesture of thanks for the warm welcome received, Diana Taurasi, the former University of Connecticut star who played for the Mercury last season, presented President Obama with a Mercury mesh with the President's name on the back.