The Phoenix Mercury have had dozens of names in their history books over three decades, from scorers who lit up arenas to role players who held the line.
However, some legacies stand alone, tied to a single jersey number no one else has touched. On this day in 2002, guard Susanna Bonfiglio stepped into that spotlight, donning No. 53, and made it immortal.
Though it was for a one-year stint that left a quiet mark on a franchise chasing its footing, Bonfiglio’s chapter closed after 22 games. Still, it connected to teammates like Jennifer Gillom and Lisa Harrison, whose primes powered Phoenix’s early playoff runs.
Why Did Phoenix Mercury Honor Susanna Bonfiglio’s Jersey No. 53?
Looking back now, as the Mercury rebuilds around young talent, the said number has significance. Though Bonfiglio arrived in Phoenix as a free agent back in 2002.
Full of confidence, she came fresh off a college career at Boston College, where she averaged double figures as a senior. The Mercury, coming off a 19-15 season and a first-round playoff exit, needed depth at guard.
However, her standout performance came on June 16 against the Cleveland Rockers, a 59-57 nail-biter that the Mercury stole on the road. Bonfiglio poured in 10 points on 4-of-7 shooting.
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Although it was her only 10-point night, at the same time, Cleveland, paced by Ann Wauters’ 18, couldn’t pull away despite holding Phoenix to 34% from the field.
Quel sottile filo azzurro che unisce l'Italia agli Usa. Susanna Bonfiglio (ex … – https://t.co/kC58g5Gkw8 @italbasket @legabasketfem pic.twitter.com/m30Y5RBmyW
— Siciliabasket (@siciliabasket) August 29, 2017
She topped that with 11 points on July 20 versus the Minnesota Lynx, adding two assists and a rebound in a win where Harrison led with 14 and Brazilian rookie Adriana Moisés chipped in 11.
Bonfiglio shot 5-of-9, showing the quickness that earned her the roster spot.
No. 53 stayed hers alone. Debuting that year, it hasn’t resurfaced in 23 seasons, joining rarities like Kristen Rasmussen’s 52. Bonfiglio bounced to the WNBA’s suspended Utah Starzz in 2003, before taking on overseas gigs and coaching roles.
Today, honoring her means tipping our hats to the unsung heroes who rounded out rosters, much like Gillom’s 14-year Mercury run (3,073 points, all-time franchise leader) or Harrison’s steady 10 seasons (1,865 points).
Phoenix Mercury’s Rich Player Legacy
While the Mercury’s legacy already has some of the greats from the game, that same spirit can be traced to the stories like Samantha Prahalis’, the Mercury’s 2012 first-rounder at No. 6 out of Ohio State.
Prahalis exploded onto the scene as a rookie, earning All-Rookie Team honors with 11.6 points, 4.5 assists, 3.2 rebounds, and 1.6 steals.
Her peak came on August 12 against the Los Angeles Sparks, a 90-85 loss where she torched the league’s glamour squad for 22 points, four assists, and three rebounds.
However, with the next season no too far away, the Mercury could still see a bright future waiting for them on the other side of the tunnel.