Ayayi starts for Mercury in home opener after contract issue prevents from playing in first two games

Nate Tibbetts planned to start French forward Valeriane Ayayi from the outset of her first season with the Phoenix Mercury. 

That decision was taken out of his control, though, because of a contract issue between Ayayi and her Czech team USK Praha delaying her clearance by the international basketball federation FIBA to play in the WNBA.

Ayayi missed road games against Las Vegas and Golden State, which the Mercury split, before making her debut Tuesday in the Mercury’s home opener against Minnesota, an 88-84 loss.

“It was them (Praha) blocking me,” for opting out of her contract, Ayayi said after the game. “People on my team are dealing with everything that is going on in Europe. I don’t know much more right now.”

Mercury general manager Nick U’Ren said discussions between the Mercury, FIBA and USK Praha were more protracted than expected, resulting in the missed games. 

Ayayi, a three-time French Olympian (two medals) who signed a one-year contract for $500,000, arrived in Phoenix on April 30 and began practicing May 2. 

The 32-year-old told French sports newspaper L’Equipe that she does not intend to return to USK Praha, with whom she won a EuroLeague title in 2025. 

“I won’t go back, but to another club,” she told L’Equipe per a Basket Europe online report. “Or none. I’ll be able to decide at the end of the WNBA season. This is also where Europe will be impacted: clubs will have to postpone the constitution of their squads — this was already the case this spring — since the players will position themselves much later. And some will decide, for example, to come back to do a freelance job only at the end of the European season.”

Once FIBA cleared Ayayi, Tibbetts wasted no time starting her even though it meant moving Jovana Nogic to the bench. Nogic averaged 17.5 points in the first two games in her WNBA debut. 

The 6-1 Ayayi had six points, four rebounds and three assists in 17 minutes against Minnesota in her first WNBA game since playing briefly for San Antonio in 2015. 

Valeriane Ayayi on a contract issue with her Czech team USK Praha that caused her to miss #Mercury first two games #wnba pic.twitter.com/iiFm3K3JAP

— jeffmetcalfe (@jeffmetcalfe) May 13, 2026

Nogic also played 17 minutes, scoring just two points on free throws while shooting 0-of-6 from the field.

“I tried to do everything I could joining a team that played already two games together,” Ayayi said. “I can do everything better. I will try to build the confidence and to bring everything I can do this team.”

After three games in four days to start their 30th season, the Mercury are off until a home game against Chicago on Friday. 

They still are without 2025 starting point guard Monique Akoa Makani, playing in the French league finals at least through Friday, and Sami Whitcomb, out for 4-6 weeks after arthroscopic knee surgery.

Tibbetts said of Ayayi’s Mercury debut: “I love Valu’s versatility. We had a couple of practices with her before the FIBA clearance stuff came up. I thought that group played pretty well together. 

“She can guard. Obviously it’s a new league and it’s going to be a little bit different, but I thought she did some good things in her first game.”

Especially with some lengthy passes leading to scores and going 2-of-3 from 3-point. 

“She’s a good playmaker and a big body,” Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner said. “She kind of got thrown into the fire tonight. She’ll get better and better. She hasn’t played in the W in awhile so I’m sure this was a little bit of a shocker. She learns fast. I can’t wait for her to find herself comfortable.”

Kahleah Copper led the Mercury with 30 points, her 11th 30-plus game since coming to Phoenix in 2024. Only Diana Taurasi (54) and Brittney Griner (16) have more. 

“She’s been very composed,” Copper said of Ayayi. “As she continues to get comfortable, you’ll see her continue to flourish.”