Mercury Select International Players in 2026 WNBA Draft

Phoenix adds French and Hungarian prospects to roster

Apr. 14, 2026 at 3:05am

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a WNBA basketball game or match, with overlapping planes of vibrant colors like blue, red, and yellow, conveying the dynamic energy of the sport.The Mercury's international draft picks reflect the WNBA's evolving talent landscape as teams seek a mix of global experience and young prospects.Phoenix Today

For the first time in two years, the Phoenix Mercury had picks in the WNBA Draft. The team decided to go after international players, selecting France's Ines Pitarch-Granel with the 27th overall pick and Hungary's Eszter Rátkai with the 42nd overall pick.

Why it matters

The Mercury's focus on international talent reflects a broader league-wide trend as teams navigate a new collective bargaining agreement and free agency landscape. With many veteran WNBA players leaving, teams are looking to build rosters with a mix of experienced international players and young prospects.

The details

Pitarch-Granel, a 5-foot-11 shooting guard, spent the last two seasons with Tango Bourges Basket in France, averaging 5.3 points and 2.6 rebounds per game. Rátkai, a 19-year-old guard, has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022, averaging 8.5 points, 3.1 rebounds, 4.9 assists and 1.2 steals per game.

  • The 2026 WNBA Draft took place on April 13, 2026.
  • The Mercury's training camp begins on April 19, 2026.

The players

Ines Pitarch-Granel

A 5-foot-11 shooting guard from France who has been playing for Tango Bourges Basket in her native country.

Eszter Rátkai

A 19-year-old guard from Hungary who has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022.

Valériane Ayayi

A 31-year-old forward who the Mercury signed to a protected contract.

Noémie Brochant

A 26-year-old forward who the Mercury signed to a training camp contract.

Nick U'Ren

The Mercury's general manager, who addressed open roster spots in 2025 by finding players with extensive international experience over WNBA veterans.

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What they’re saying

“With most of the league's veterans as free agents and a new collective bargaining agreement, the Mercury had to navigate a new landscape.”

— Nick U'Ren, General Manager

What’s next

The Mercury have yet to lock down starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani, forward Natasha Mack and forward Kathryn Westbeld after sending qualifying offers on April 7. The roster will continue to take shape before training camp begins on April 19.

The takeaway

The Mercury's focus on international talent in the 2026 WNBA Draft reflects a broader league-wide trend as teams look to build rosters with a mix of experienced international players and young prospects amid a changing free agency landscape.