Marta Suárez talks Olivia Miles, Alyssa Thomas and her return to DFW
Former TCU star Marta Suárez signed a developmental contract with the Phoenix Mercury. How does this type of contract work?
The contract was created to aid player development, allowing athletes to practice while receiving stipends and other benefits from the team and the league. It comes with stipulations, including that those signed can only play 12 games in a season and must have fewer than four years of experience. Contracts are limited to two players per team.
Suárez spoke about coming back to the Dallas-Fort Worth area, and the whirlwind journey she has been on, from being drafted by the Seattle Storm and then traded, and eventually waived by the Golden State Valkyries before landing with the Mercury.
“Last time I was here in DFW was like at the very beginning of all of this stuff, from that moment, from draft weekend, and all that came afterward, it’s been a lot of stuff, it’s been a lot of blessings first of all, but I’m very happy to be here,” said Suárez.
Suárez sees her development continuing with the Mercury, along with adjusting to playing her rookie season in the WNBA.
“I’m looking at it as kind of like a redshirt year, you know. I’m learning how the system works, which I think sometimes we overlook, kind of like making everything click, the travel, the relationships, the meetings, and how to pay attention. The schedule is very different from college. We travel a lot, so adapting to all of that and then meanwhile, like, whether I’m playing or not, I can take it as an offseason,” said Suárez. “Getting my body ready, catching up to the speed of the game, and you know, hopefully getting small [improvements] here and there.”
Suárez has played in three game this season, averaging 2 points and 1.3 assists per game. She said she picked her teams on how they would help her development.
Learning from the Mercury’s Alyssa Thomas, DeWanna Bonner and Kahleah Copper is invaluable, Suárez said.
“I love to just look at them and how they read the [defense] and see how they move us. I’ve learned that defense is a lot more than you think. [Bonner], It’s amazing to see her 17 years [in the league] and she’s the heart of the team, and the way she defends, the way she fights and rebounds, and then the motor that [Thomas] has. Me being a big that is versatile, she’s a tremendous player to look at. Kai is a different situation, because, man, she’s just like body gifted, just a pleasure to see her, but then also the way that they’re stepping into the leadership position,” said Suárez.
Suárez’s former teammate Olivia Miles is taking the WNBA by storm, which comes as no shock to the Spaniard. Miles set the WNBA record for made 3-pointers in a game and has been a major contributor to the Minnesota Lynx, the league’s winningest team.
“It doesn’t surprise me much, but it’s great to see, and she was the one [TCU] player to come to the league and make an impact from the beginning, she’s like that, and she’s a baller, so just excited to see what’s what’s in [store] for her, I think she’s doing a great job leading that team, and they’re very fun to watch,” said Suárez.
Suárez did not play in the Mercury’s game against the Dallas Wings on Thursday at College Park Center.
This story was originally published June 11, 2026 at 9:21 PM.
