WNBA Career
Mitchell was drafted by the San Antonio Silver Stars twenty-fifth overall in the second round of 2008 WNBA Draft. Mitchell was then traded to the Phoenix Mercury. When the New York Liberty learned during the 2008 pre-season that the Mercury planned to cut Mitchell, the Liberty acquired Mitchell in a trade in exchange for a 2009 third round draft pick.
Initially a bench player, Mitchell made her first professional start on June 6, 2008 in place of the injured Loree Moore. During the 2008 season she developed a strong fan following and a reputation for fearlessness in grabbing loose balls and occasionally driving to the basket.
Mitchell scored 14 points in the Liberty's narrow loss to the Detroit Shock in Game 3 of the 2008 Eastern Conference Finals.
Mitchell became the regular starting point guard in the 2010 season, after the Liberty released Moore in the offseason. Mitchell led the WNBA in 3-point percentage at 48%, scored 9.3 points per game, and had 3.8 assists per game en route to winning the 2010 WNBA Most Improved Player Award.
On September 2, 2011, Mitchell scored a career high 24 points in a win against the Minnesota Lynx.
Read more about this topic: Leilani Mitchell
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