Posts by Hayden Cilley

Hayden Cilley covers the Phoenix Mercury for The Next. He is currently pursuing a bachelors degree in Sports Journalism at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University.

Phoenix Mercury wing Diamond DeShields in mid-air with one hand on the ball, just before taking a floater

The sixth starter: a Diamond in the rough 2022 Phoenix Mercury season

July 15, 2022

Shine on you crazy Diamond (DeShields)

New York head coach Sandy Brondello stands in front of the Liberty bench while looking out towards the court

Sights and sounds from Sandy Brondello’s return to Phoenix

July 9, 2022

Guess who’s back, back again? Sandy’s back in Phoenix

Phoenix Mercury center Tina Charles looks towards the sideline while smiling and waving

What the Phoenix Mercury gained, and lost, when Tina Charles left

June 28, 2022

‘Sometimes what’s best for the team is not what’s best for you’

Megan Gustafson stands with her hands on her hips.

From ‘unstoppable’ post scorer to 3-point threat: How Phoenix’s Megan Gustafson has changed her game

June 25, 2022

Work ethic and the right environment can do wonders

Phoenix head coach Vanessa Nygaard holds a clipboard while talking to Mercury players Tina Charles, Diana Taurasi, and Brianna Turner

Coaching threes and making threes: a Phoenix Mercury guide to self-improvement

June 17, 2022

The all-time three point scorer and a three-point coaching philosophy leads to… more threes

The Phoenix Mercury coaching staff and bench during a game

‘It’s embarrassing’: The Phoenix Mercury are going through it

June 9, 2022

What needs to change?

The on-court players for the Phoenix Mercury huddle-up

What must change for the Phoenix Mercury?

June 2, 2022

And what can Karlie Samuelson’s role be?

Defining that Sam Thomas energy for Phoenix

May 24, 2022

How the undrafted Mercury forward has endeared herself to her team

The on-court players for the Phoenix Mercury huddle-up

Questions from Taurasi, Diggins-Smith argument hover over Phoenix Mercury

May 20, 2022

Diggins-Smith missing on Thursday, return still unknown

Season

‘Punch them in the mouth’ Phoenix Mercury’s motto after the season opener

May 12, 2022

Mercury were punched in the season opener but now they’re doing the punching