Chasity Melvin is replacing Penny Taylor as an assistant with the Mercury,
Chasity Melvin is returning to the WNBA as a Phoenix Mercury assistant coach.
Melvin, 44, is replacing Penny Taylor for the shortened WNBA season in Bradenton, Fla. Taylor, married to Mercury star Diana Taurasi, is remaining in Arizona with their 2-year-old son Leo instead of traveling to Florida for the 22-game regular season and playoffs.
The 6-3 Melvin played in 12 WNBA seasons from 1999-2010 and was 2001 All-Star while with the Cleveland Rockers. She and Taylor were Rockers’ teammates from 2001-03.
Melvin knows Mercury coach Sandy Brondello from their playing days and said Brondello contacted her about the opening. “She called to see if I had an interest and it went from there,” Melvin said. “I didn’t think they were really going to have a season so I was just preparing for the future. We talked about my goals.”
After her playing career, Melvin worked for the Kay Yow Cancer Fund named after her former North Carolina State coach. In 2018, she participated in the NBA assistant coaches program, leading to a job with the Greensboro Swarm, the Charlotte Hornets’ G League affiliate.
Melvin was an assistant with the Loyola Maryland women’s basketball team in 2019-20 and said the door still is open for her to continue coaching there. “I’m just focused on this summer,” she said. “This is a huge opportunity for me to learn.”
She will be working with a post group that includes WNBA superstar Brittney Griner, veterans Jessica Breland and Kia Vaughn and forwards Brianna Turner and Alanna Smith.
“The best part of coaching for me is player development and being out there with the young ladies,” Melvin said. “That gets me back to the game. They have a great squad and leadership. The fact your big three (Griner, Taurasi, Skylar Diggins-Smith) showed up during this time with players opting out says a lot about them and how much they love the game. I could say the same for myself. I was chilling at home with my parents so for me to say I’ll do this, I understand everything that comes with it but I love the game too. If they’re going to do it, why not be a part of history and trying to bring the game and showing people it can be successful.”
Melvin hopes to help Turner work through her pro learning curve and to give Griner some tips that she acquired later in her career.
In college, Melvin had more than 2,000 points and 1,000 rebounds. North Carolina State made four NCAA Tournament appearances from 1995-98, reaching the Final Four in 1998 when Melvin earned All-America.
Melvin averaged 9.7 points and 5.4 rebounds in her WNBA career with Cleveland, Washinton and Chicago. She played on seven playoff teams.
Brondello’s staff also includes longtime assistant Julie Hairgrove.
The Mercury arrived in Florida on Monday to begin training camp at IMG Academy in Bradenton.
The WNBA announced Monday that seven players have tested positive for coronavirus out of 137 tested from June 28-July 5. Those testing positive will remain in self-isolation until cleared by a physician. The Indiana Fever delayed their travel to Florida by at least five days to comply with close contact self-quarantine requirements.
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