There won’t be much of a learning curve when DeWanna Bonner shows up for her first practice as a professional player.

With the fifth pick in Thursday’s WNBA Draft, the Phoenix Mercury selected Bonner, Auburn’s all-time leading scorer. Bonner became the highest-selected Auburn player by a longshot and quite possibly could not have been granted a more ideal place to start her WNBA career.

The new offense Auburn coach Nell Fortner installed this season was based off the Mercury’s. The go-go-go pace helped Auburn lead the SEC in points per game and has kept Phoenix, the 2007 WNBA champions, atop the points standings year after year.

“I like the way they run,” Bonner said. “They’re already a veteran team and I’m just ready to come in there and improve something.”

In the days leading up to the draft and even immediately after she learned her fate, Bonner directed her focus less toward the basketball side of things and more toward aesthetics. A Fairfield native, Bonner was particularly concerned about the climate, as she desired a hot-weather, sunshine-every-day locale.

She got her wish. The average high temperature in Phoenix during the WNBA season (June-August) is 104.

“That’s exactly what I want, because I don’t want it to get negative something,” Bonner said. “I’m just excited and ready to get to Phoenix.”

Bonner will play alongside two WNBA all-stars in Diana Taurasi and Cappie Poindexter. Playing time could be tight from the start, as the Mercury appear poised to repeat their 2007 successes, but Bonner is just happy to have a likely locked spot on the 11-woman roster.

“I just have to go in and prove myself and work really hard,” Bonner said. “If I come off the bench, I’ll come off and give them something off the bench or if I start for them. It really doesn’t matter.”

The circumstances are a little different for former Auburn point guard Whitney Boddie, but she was just as thrilled when she was selected with the 20th pick in the second round. Boddie is headed West as well, and will be gunning for a spot on the Sacramento Monarchs’ roster.

Boddie is one of 17 players that will be vying for 11 roster spots. The Monarchs starting point guard, Ticha Penecheiro, is 34 and nearing the end of her career.

“It’d be a good fit if I can make the team and get developed and really have the opportunity to make my mark on the franchise,” Boddie said. “We’ll see.”

Before the draft, Boddie said she received a call from Los Angeles Sparks coach Michael Cooper and told her “not to be surprised” if he selected her with the 13th pick. Hours after the draft, Boddie said she still hadn’t heard from Monarchs coach Jenny Boucek, and wondered if she was going to be traded.

“It still has not hit me, not until I talk to the coach,” Boddie said. “Then it will be official.”

The Monarchs selected big Oklahoma center Courtney Paris with their first pick Thursday.

“She’s a great player,” Boddie said. “If we both end up staying out there, it’d be great to play with her.”

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