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How Shyla would fit into Mercury's backcourt
Shyla Heal of the Fire handles the ball against Maddy Rocci of the Flyers during the round 16 WNBL match between Southside Flyers and Townsville Fire at State Basketball Centre, on March 04, 2023 in Melbourne. Photo: Kelly Defina/Getty Images
Shyla Heal is competing for a spot on the Phoenix Mercury for the 2025 WNBA season
- Australian guard Shyla Heal has second WNBA shot with Phoenix Mercury
- 2024-25 WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb signed with the club for the 2025 WNBA season
- Phoenix are trying to build a championship backcourt after the retirement of Diana Taurasi
Australian point guard Shyla Heal, 23, is trying to become the 14th Aussie in WNBA after being invited to the Phoenix Mercury training camp in Arizona later this month.
"I'm really excited to have this opportunity with the Phoenix Mercury!" Heal said when the announcement was made she'd get her second WNBA opportunity.
"I am so much more experienced and ready now, than I was three years ago when I got drafted.
"So I’m ready to go in and show them what I’ve got!"
basketball.com.au contributor Peter Brown joined the PHNX Sports podcast on Friday, April 4, 2025 to talk about Heal's game and his experience coaching the Australian Opal at the NBL1 East club Sydney Comets in 2024.
"On today's show, the PHNX Mercury crew will be detailing who Shyla Heal is, what she can potentially bring to the Phoenix Mercury this Summer, and why she may be relevant to their desires for this season and potentially beyond. Get to know one of the WNBL's dynamic guards as Erika Day and Stephen PridGeon-Garner speak on Heal with special guest Peter Brown of basketball.com.au," the podcast was promoted.
Heal is competing for an opportunity to pair with 2024-25 WNBL MVP Sami Whitcomb who signed with the Mercury after a stellar stint with the Seattle Storm.
Australian women's basketball has had a storied association with the Mercury with as many as 17 players either suiting up or being drafted by the Arizona franchise.
Heal was drafted by the Chicago Sky with the eighth pick in the 2021 WNBA Draft. The Sydney-born star only played four games with the Sky before being traded to the Dallas Wings only to be waived.
Heal's ability to score the ball were on full display for the Comets in 2024 — on the weekend of July 5 and 6, Heal dropped back-to-back 50s on the road, first at Penrith (51) then in Canberra against the Nationals (52). She went a combined 33-from-61 from the field, including 16-30 from three.
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