'It was time': DeWanna Bonner feels 'at home' with Phoenix Mercury

DeWanna Bonner felt the love from the home crowd at PHX Arena and gave it back when the in-arena camera showed her on the big screen on Monday, July 7.

Less than 24 hours before officially signing with the Phoenix Mercury, Bonner all but confirmed the reports of her signing by sitting courtside next to Mercury President Vince Kozar to watch the Mercury play the Dallas Wings.

With thousands of Mercury fans watching her on the screen, Bonner amped up the crowd and showed a big heart hand.

“Watching last night was definitely different from when I was here six years ago, but the fans were still the exact same," Bonner said. "They still knew me by name, and they embraced me and they loved on me a little bit. I texted Vince, and I was like, Thank you for this, it’s where I needed to be at this time in my career.” 

The Mercury will host the Minnesota Lynx on July 9 at 12:30 p.m. for a big matchup between the league's top two teams.

A day later, Bonner was happily participating as the team did a rock, paper, scissors challenge following practice. Though Bonner didn't win and Kit Laksa was crowned the champion, she's back to a place that feels like home.

Bonner is a vital part of the Mercury's history as the former fifth overall pick in 2009 spent an entire decade in Phoenix. Alongside Diana Taurasi, Bonner helped lead the Mercury to titles in 2009 and 2014.

ESPN first reported Bonner's reunion with the Mercury on July 7. Head coach Nate Tibbetts and forward Alyssa Thomas, Bonner's fiancé, declined to comment on the report before it was made official.

Bonner's split from the Indiana Fever this season was highly publicized. The 16-year veteran didn't see a lot of playing time, averaging 21.3 minutes with three starts in nine games. She produced career lows (7.1 points and 3.8 rebounds) before taking five games away for personal reasons and was then released on June 25.

While many rumors swirled as to why she left, Bonner shut down those who said she selfishly quit on Indiana in an Instagram post.

"A quitter!! Nah, never have been that!!" Bonner said. "But when the time comes ... Let's just make sure the apologies are just as loud as the disrespect!"

Bonner said the Mercury's coaching staff not only gave her a warm welcome but also made sure to check on her mental health before making any major decisions.

Through a team statement, Bonner said the fit in Indiana didn't work out, and the organization granted her request to move on.

The team couldn't find a trade suitor to take on her contract, which then allowed her to be a free agent.

The 6-foot-4 wing has career averages of 14.8 points, 6.1 rebounds and 2.3 assists, and was sought after by teams.

But Phoenix had the edge.

“It’s home. I know I’m going to get the love and the support," Bonner said. "I know a lot of ladies on the team, but I’m just excited to be back home and the familiarity around this city. I just got here (July 7) and everything is sinking in, but I just wanted to be back home, and it was time.” 

In terms of her role with the Mercury, who are second in the WNBA, Bonner was told by the coaching staff to be herself.

“I don’t have to do anything extra," Bonner said. "I was a little worried because they are a team that has great chemistry already, so that went into my decision-making process as well, but they reassured that they wanted me here and needed me here.”

The Mercury are dealing with injuries to stars Satou Sabally and Kahleah Copper, who are both day-to-day. Sabally injured her right ankle on July 3 and is in a boot, while Copper is sidelined with a hamstring injury.

To prepare for Bonner's roster spot, the Mercury waived forward Murjanatu Musa before announcing Bonner's signing.

Musa appeared in 12 games and averaged 3.3 points and 2.6 rebounds. She had not appeared in the last three games, despite being available. She played three minutes in her last appearance on June 27 against the New York Liberty.

Spotrac has Bonner on the Mercury's payroll on an unprotected contract of $43,721.

Bonner will also be reunited with Thomas, with whom she spent five seasons on the Connecticut Sun. The two were one of the WNBA's best tandems on the court and are engaged off of it.

However, Bonner's history suggests that the two never let their personal lives get in the way of their play.

"It's a job, and we come in this as teammates and this is business," Bonner said. "We want to win, first and foremost, and we want to do it in the most professional way. That's what we've been doing and what we'll continue to do. Off the court, we live our life like normal people."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: DeWanna Bonner feels 'at home' with Phoenix Mercury