DeWanna Bonner came in with high hopes, expected to be the steady vet for the Indiana Fever’s young core during the offseason. However, this didn’t work well, and Bonner’s stint with the Fever never had a happy ending, getting waived by the team after heavy issues.
Bonner soon landed at the Phoenix Mercury, her former team, to pair up with her fiancée, Alyssa Thomas. Eventually, there will be a moment where she will face her former squad, and she did on Wednesday, when the Mercury (16-10) failed to defeat the Fever (15-12), 107-101. The former Auburn Tiger spent 21 minutes on the court, putting up four points.
And despite being on the opposing team, Stephanie White couldn’t help but praise DeWanna Bonner’s fit with the Mercury. Speaking after team practice, the Fever HC made it clear that she’s ready to face Bonner soon.
“I think she’s fit in perfectly with Phoenix. Her and AT play so well together, and she does a really good job of adding a different dimension with her ability to be that stretch four, her and Satou [Sabally] being able to play on the floor at the same time with AT,” White said.
“It’s going to be different to game-plan against her, her and AT both, really, honestly, after having been on the sideline with them for a couple of years, it’s going to be different to game-plan against her.”
steph white on DB joining phoenix:
“i think she fits in perfectly with phoenix. her and AT play so well together—with her ability to be that stretch four, compliment satou—she’s comfortable there—i’m glad that she’s happy and i’m glad she’s found her spot.” pic.twitter.com/OVSpS21gOp
— cc akgae (@clrkszn) July 29, 2025
DeWanna Bonner‘s issues with the Fever began when she opted to get sidelined due to “personal issues,” making her miss a ton of crucial games. However, fans began noticing how her absence from the squad became too long, and trade rumors began spiraling up. Eventually, Indiana had enough and kicked Bonner off the roster last June 25.
DeWanna Bonner had long moved on from her Indiana stint
After reuniting with the Mercury, DeWanna Bonner didn’t mince words and said that she had moved on from her issues with the Indiana Fever. She also made it clear she didn’t leave the Fever due to her role as a bench player.
“I think my journey is my journey, and I’m going to accept that,” Bonner said. That wasn’t ever the issue. That’s never been me. I have no problems coming off the bench. I have never been that player. I don’t feel like I have that reputation.”
Ultimately, DeWanna Bonner is comfortable at Phoenix, adding that she feels at home there “along with the people I know.” She has a family with Alyssa Thomas and four children, residing in the same city.
For more basketball content, click on Hardwood Heroics. Sabel Reyes can be reached through sabelreyes22@gmail.com. Other websites under the Sports Heroics umbrella are Gridiron Heroics and Wisconsin Heroics.
Sabel has been working as a field reporter for People’s Television Network (PTV), mainly about the Philippine Basketball Association since 2016 and has been elevated to Executive Producer for sports in 2022. Aside from being on top of the Philippine sports scene, she is also a running enthusiast. You can also follow her on X at @SabelReyes2 and Instagram at @msabelreyes.
