In a league with limited roster spots and opportunities, WNBA players face an uphill battle to make it into the league. Even first-overall draft choices are not safe from the chopping block.
Nobody may know that better than Sam Thomas, an undrafted forward from Arizona. After making the roster and appearing in 24 games for the Phoenix Mercury in 2022, she was one of the final players cut during training camp this offseason.
But as the injuries stacked up for the Mercury, Thomas was waiting in the wings, staying ready at her father’s prep academy in Las Vegas.
Phoenix Mercury forward Sam Thomas hauls in a pass while working the perimeter against the Atlanta Dream in the first quarter of the teams’ WNBA game at Footprint Center in Phoenix on June 9, 2022.
“You never know what can happen and that’s what everyone told me once I got cut, ‘Just stay ready, this is not the end of it,’” Thomas said.
With Diana Taurasi, Brittney Griner and Shey Peddy all out of the lineup last week with various injuries, Thomas got a call from her agent that the Mercury would like to sign her to an injury replacement contract.
The answer was a resounding yes.
“‘Yes, please. I would love to come back here,’” Thomas said to her agent when she got the call. “I’ve missed everyone. This is always going to be my family no matter what happened. I’m just super happy to be back here and help out in any way that I can.
Thomas hopped on a plane just a day before Phoenix hosted defending WNBA champion Las Vegas, and stepped into the rotation immediately for the shorthanded Mercury. Thomas put up only two-shot attempts in 11 minutes of play, but her size and defensive presence was much needed against the high-octane Aces.
“Sam was great,” Nygard said. “I don’t know where she was when we called, but she jumped right on the plane, came out and helped us. It looked like she’d been here.”
Phoenix Mercury forward Sam Thomas (14) gets some fives while running drills before a game against the Atlanta Dream at Footprint Center in Phoenix on June 9, 2022. Thomas, who played 24 games for the Mercury as an undrafted WNBA rookie last season, was brought back this week to Phoenix as an injury replacement.
One player who was ecstatic about her return is Megan Gustafson, one of Thomas’ closest friends. Gustafson found out the day before the game after Thomas texted her, but she didn’t tell Gustafson she was coming back. She didn’t even need to tell her, because Gustafson knew just from the way she was talking that her friend was returning.
“I’m just really proud and really just thankful for her for her friendship,” Gustafson said, “She’s such a great player. She’s a really good shooter, good defender, we really need that right now.”
Under the WNBA’s rules, injury replacement contracts when signed are for the remainder of the season, but must be terminated when the corresponding player returns from injury. In Thomas' case, that release came Saturday afternoon While Peddy is still out with an achilles injury, Griner and Taurasi did play Saturday in a 97-74 loss to the Seattle Storm. While it was unclear when Thomas was signed which of the three players she was filling in for, Thomas' pregame release means it was either Griner or Taurasi. In either case, it's not likely Thomas' drive to stick on a WNBA roster down the line will waiver.
“I’m not here to be the star or take anybody’s spot,” Thomas said. “I’m just here to provide whatever they need and play hard.”
Phoenix Mercury guard/forward Sam Thomas plays defense during a WNBA basketball game against the Las Vegas Aces, Friday, May 6, 2022, in Phoenix.
