Mercury select international players in 2026 WNBA Draft

For the first time in two years, the Phoenix Mercury had picks in the WNBA Draft, and the team decided to go after international players. The Mercury used their first selection on France's Ines Pitarch-Granel at No. 27 overall, followed by Hungary's Eszter Ratkai at No.

42 overall on April 13. Pitarch-Granel spent the last two seasons with Tango Bourges Basket in her native France, averaging 5. 3 points and 2.

6 rebounds in 24 games this season. The 5-foot-11 shooting guard is the third French player in the Mercury's organization in 2026, as the team signed 31-year-old forward Valériane Ayayi to a protected contract and 26-year-old forward Noémie Brochant to a training camp contract. Phoenix selected Hungarian guard Eszter Rátkai, who has been playing for Hungarian club PEAC-Pécs since 2022.

The 19-year-old is currently averaging 8. 5 points, 3. 1 rebounds, 4.