Being the only team without a pick during 2025’s WNBA Draft forced the Phoenix Mercury to take a seldom-traveled path when adding “first-year talent” to their new-look roster. Fortunately for them, 29-year-old rookie Kathryn Westbeld has proven to be perfectly long comfortable with journeys of that type. A former title-winner for the Fighting Irish a near-decade ago, Westbeld strings together one of those trademark “winning plays” during her purple-and-orange debut, first by padlocking Ezi Magbegor’s could-be post entry pass. Perfectly positioned to punish the Seattle Storm’s early-game zone defense thereafter, Westbeld cashes in on a left-wing trifecta, setting the tone for what ultimately became a productive first showing. May 17, 2025 became one to remember as Westbeld — likely inspired upon seeing her younger sister debut just hours earlier — checked off milestones through a nine-point, five-rebound, one-steal, two-triple introduction, alongside a +16 plus-minus. · May 18, 2025