On July 6, 2020, the Phoenix Mercury announced that they added Chasity Melvin to the team’s staff as an assistant coach. Meanwhile, Mercury legend Penny Taylor, married to Mercury G Diana Taurasi, decided to stay in Phoenix to take care of her son Leo. Phoenix Mercury first announced the news on Twitter.
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsOFFICIAL: Mercury add Chasity Melvin as assistant coach
— Phoenix Mercury (@PhoenixMercury) July 6, 2020
?https://t.co/IyP5HRiuNq pic.twitter.com/PhszrhJiMu
Mercury GM Jim Pitman on the addition of Melvin:
“Creating opportunities for former players to grow in our game is central to our mission. An important part of that is ensuring that we are replacing a former WNBA player on our coaching staff with another former player. 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 men’s games. We are excited to welcome her to the Valley and the Mercury family.”
-GM Jim Pitman
Melvin’s Success to the WNBA
Chasity Melvin played for three different teams throughout her career for 12 seasons. She was originally drafted 11th overall by the Cleveland Rockers in the 1999 WNBA Draft out of NC State. She played with the Rockers for five seasons before being selected 2nd in the 2004 Dispersal Draft by the Washington Mystics.
In the 2001 season, she was named a WNBA All-star but could not play due to an injury. Two seasons later, she had a breakout season, recording a career-best 13.1 PPG and 6.3 RPG as a starting center for 34 games. Leading to the Rockers’ 17-17 record and last spot in the playoffs. Later on, in the semifinals, the Rockers lost to the Detroit Shock, who surprised everyone in the WNBA, ending the season. Fun fact, she was teammates with Penny Taylor in the 2001-03 seasons for the Rockers. After the 2010 season, Melvin retired from playing in the WNBA. She last played for the Washington Mystics. Overall in her career, she averaged 9.7 PPG, 5.4 RPG, and 1.5 APG.
Career After Playing Basketball, Melvin Decides to Become an Assistant Coach
In 2018, Melvin became the first female assistant coach that participated in the NBA Assistant Coaches Program for NBA G League’s Greensboro Swarm. However, she stated that Kay Yow of NC State, the late head coach of her alum college, helped her outstandingly understand basketball. She also worked for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund in NC State. The following season, she was hired as an assistant coach for Loyola Maryland Women’s Basketball team.
What Position Melvin Will Be Working On?
The position Melvin will be working with the Mercury is the forward. She is looking forward to working with Brittney Griner, Jessica Breland, and other post players on the team, and is also familiar with HC Sandy Brondello of her great game of basketball.
Melvin stated:
“The best part of coaching for me is player development and being out there with the young ladies,” Melvin said. “That gets me back to the game. They have a great squad and leadership.
“The fact your big three (Griner, Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith) showed up during this time with players opting out says a lot about them and how much they love the game. I could say the same for myself. I was chilling at home with my parents to say I’ll do this, I understand everything that comes with it, but I love the game too. If they’re going to do it, why not be a part of history and trying to bring the game and showing people it can be successful.”
-Chasity Melvin on joining the Mercury
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsJust hanging with some of the greats @WNBA @PhoenixMercury pic.twitter.com/N1NPoVo6h0
— Chasity Melvin (@chasitymelvin) May 11, 2018
I enjoyed writing the story of her journey to becoming an assistant coach for a WNBA Team! I am so excited to welcome her to the Mercury organization this season!
