Of the four Mercury neophytes — Monique Akoa Makani, Kathryn Westbeld, Lexi Held and Kitija Laksa — only one was drafted and the youngest of their rookies is 24, a few years older than most WNBA neophytes.
All four of Phoenix’s first-years have overseas experience and each of them will become reserved free agents in the offseason, meaning they can only return to the Mercury next season, under the terms of the current collective bargaining agreement. Here’s how their performances break down. (All stats prior to Tuesday night’s win over Indiana.)
Akoa Makani has been the standout rookie on the team, starting 35 of the 36 games she has suited up for. She is averaging eight points per game while shooting 40% from 3-point range and 94.7% from the foul line.
On Aug. 22, Akoa Makani hit four threes in an 81-72 win over the Golden State Valkyries. Phoenix became the first team in WNBA history to have four rookies make four 3-pointers in a game in a season.
“Mo has continued to get better,” Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts said. “I think her pick and roll reads have continued to improve. And her just finding her spots and feeling comfortable with what we’re looking for.”
29-year-old rookie Kathryn Westbeld, the oldest rookie on the team, has also played a major role for the Mercury in 2025. She has not had the same success as Akoa Makani in her rookie season but is still contributing 18.8 minutes per game.
Westbeld has started 24 of the 38 games she has played this season, has shown she can knock down the three and according to Tibbetts, she is being overlooked as a post defender.
Phoenix Mercury forward Kathryn Westbeld (24) drives to the basket against Indiana Fever guard Lexie Hull (10) during the second quarter at PHX Arena on Sept. 2, 2025.
“Kat’s just a player that goes out and does her job,” Tibbetts said. “She can make threes, she can space the floor. She’s probably a better post defender than people give her credit for. … From a field goal percentage standpoint, she does a really great job of protecting the rim.”
Westbeld and Akoa Makani both have their theories about what has allowed each to make an impact here in their first WNBA seasons.
Akoa Makani praised her consistency with her 3-pointer while Westbeld lauded her ability to adapt.
“I think just being pretty consistent with my defense and just being ready when my name is called,” Westbeld told The Next. It’s unpredictable how many minutes we’re going to have. … And just doing the little things. You’re not always going to get on the scoreboard and I’m not going to score 20 points a game and I’m completely ok with that. I just want to do whatever I can to help this team be successful.”
Akoa Makani gave kudos to Westbeld for being mentally tough.
“I feel like she’s just patient with herself,” Akoa Makani told The Next. “Like she would miss one – it’s not going to get in her head. She’s going to keep shooting and that’s something I’m learning from her because sometimes to me when I miss like one or two … let me just switch to go to something else. But as long as it’s like good shots because it’s always good shots for her, she just keep shooting it. And that’s really inspiring.”
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Despite being more advanced in their professional careers than most rookies, Westbeld and Akoa Makani still have areas of their games to improve upon. Westbeld cited a need to add more aggression on the offensive end, while Akoa Makani’s focus is on her defending.
“I think I could get better on being a better defensive leader of my team,” Akoa Makani said. “Especially because when I’m able to put that energy, it goes on to my teammate as well.”
That opinion isn’t universal, though: Mercury star Alyssa Thomas praised Akoa Makani’s performance on the defensive end.
“She gets after it defensively,” Thomas said. “We stay on her. We know what she’s capable of. Not too many guards are able to fight over screens and just guard the player 1-on-1. So, definitely credit to her. You don’t see a lot of young players that are willing to come in the league and do that. Hopefully she just continues to grow in that and I know we’re going to push her but she has a chance to be on all-defensive teams.”
Meanwhile, despite reduced recent roles, both Laksa and Held have contributed this year, and remain ready if called upon during the rest of 2025. Early in the season, Held and Laksa played viral minutes as the Mercury dealt with key injuries to starting guard Kahleah Copper and starting center Natasha Mack.
Each experienced a star turn as a result. Laksa scored a career-high 18 points on June 7 against the Seattle Storm, while Held led the Mercury to a win over the Golden State Valkyries on June 5 with a career-high 24 points.
Jul 27, 2025; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Phoenix Mercury guard Kitija Laksa (9) shoots the ball in the fourth quarter against the Washington Mystics at CareFirst Arena. Mandatory Credit: Emily Faith Morgan-Imagn Images
With Phoenix being healthier of late — plus the acquisition of veteran DeWanna Bonner — minutes for Laksa and Held have been harder to come by. Nevertheless, both players have remained positive.
“Just staying ready,” Held said of her thought process. “Keeping a good mindset, keeping a good attitude and just being a good teammate and letting whatever happens happens and being ready when it’s my time.”
Laksa echoed her teammate.
“There’s a reason why I’m here,” Laksa told The Next. “And there’s a lot of uncontrollables for me. So yeah, it’s just staying fresh, ready, doing my things and trusting the person and the basketball player that I am.”
Tibbetts praised Laksa for her professionalism and work on the defensive end this season. He spoke highly of Held’s play early in the season and said he has been trying to get her minutes because of it.
“I’m trying to reward her a little bit for playing so well early,” Tibbetts said. “She’s still trying to find her way. I think she can continue to play better. … We’re going to need the players that aren’t playing to stay ready because you never know what happens. And that’s just part of learning how to be a professional.”
As for what Held and Laksa want to improve on, Held said she wants to be more consistent with shooting while Laksa said she can get better in all facets of her game.
“Everything,” Laksa said. “There’s always improvements. Every single day I come in, I work hard and there’s always something I can improve on.”
Held, Laksa, Akoa Makani and Westbeld will get to experience the playoffs in their first seasons in the WNBA, with Phoenix already clinching a playoff spot. All four have played their parts in that success.