How Mercury’s Shay Ciezki plans to apply her biggest training camp lesson in the regular season
Indiana's Shay Ciezki (10) looks to pass during the Indiana versus Lipscomb women's basketball game at Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall on Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025. © Rich Janzaruk/Herald-Times / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images PHOENIX — Phoenix Mercury rookie guard Shay Ciezki said the biggest lesson from her first WNBA preseason was learning how much value comes from elements that never appear in a box score.
After arriving in Phoenix on a training camp contract after wrapping up her collegiate career at Indiana, the undrafted rookie competed for one of the final roster spots on a veteran-heavy Mercury team built around stars such as Alyssa Thomas and Kahleah Copper. Although the Mercury waived her during preseason roster cuts, Ciezki made enough of an impression to earn one of Phoenix’s two developmental contracts, allowing the organization to continue investing in the promising young guard. “My first reaction, I definitely had some tears,” Ciezki told PHNX Mercury’s Stephen PridGeon-Garner about learning she earned the contract.
“… I’m full of gratitude. ” Phoenix Mercury’s Shay Ciezki (5) passes the ball to a teammate while playing against Chicago Sky on Saturday, April 25, 2026, at Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. © Samantha Laurey / Argus Leader / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The developmental contracts were introduced as part of the league’s new CBA, allowing teams to keep up to two players in their system for continued development.
The addition gives franchises more flexibility to invest in young talent while also providing players with a more stable environment to grow without immediately seeking opportunities elsewhere. Now with a spot in the organization, Ciezki said her biggest takeaway from preseason was learning how much value comes from the little things. “I think the biggest lesson is to not focus so much on the basketball part of it, but the intangibles,” Ciezki said.
“What you’re willing to do for the team and how big of an impact that is, even if it’s really small. ” The rookie said Phoenix’s veterans reinforced the importance of communication, effort and energy rather than trying to force big moments. “Just talking on defense, being where you need to be, being the energy player.