Mercedes Russell

Mercedes Brianna Russell (born July 27, 1995) is an American professional basketball player for the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). She was drafted 22nd overall by the New York Liberty in the 2018 WNBA draft. Russell played college basketball for Tennessee. In high school, she was named 2013 Gatorade Girls' Basketball Player of the Year.

College career Russell played college basketball at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, Tennessee for the Lady Volunteers.

Professional career WNBA At the 2018 WNBA draft, Russell was drafted in the second round by the New York Liberty. After making her WNBA debut with the Liberty, Russell was waived and soon after picked up by the Seattle Storm. In joining the Storm's line-up featuring players such as Sue Bird, Breanna Stewart and Natasha Howard, Russell would take home a WNBA Championship in her first professional season. She played with the Storm 2018-2024.

On February 11, 2025, Russell signed with the Los Angeles Sparks. On July 12, 2025, she was waived by the Sparks.

On August 10, 2026, she signed with the Indiana Fever as a season-ending injury exception.

WNBL In 2019, Russell was signed by the newly rebranded Southside Flyers in Australia's Women's National Basketball League (WNBL). There she would play alongside the likes of Leilani Mitchell and Jenna O'Hea.

With the Flyers in the 2023–24 WNBL season, Russell helped the team win the championship while earning grand final MVP honours.

Career statistics

College 2013–14 Tennessee 35 5 18.5 .596 .000 .514 5.0 0.5 0.4 1.1 1.2 6.3 2014–15 Tennessee

36 31 29.3 .548 .000 .545 8.3 0.8 0.4 1.8 1.6 9.9 2016–17 Tennessee 32 32 34.6 .562 .000 .671 9.7 1.2 0.7 1.4 2.0 16.1 2017–18 Tennessee 33 33 32.7 .583 .000 .682 9.2 0.8 1.1 1.3 1.4 15.3 Career 136 101 28.6 .570 .000 .622 8.0 0.8 0.6 1.4 1.6 11.7

WNBA Regular season Stats current through game on July 14, 2025

Playoffs