Former Second-Round Pick Makes Late Decision to Skip WNBA Season

The Phoenix Mercury made a roster update heading into the 2025 WNBA season.

According to the organization, Helena Pueyo won't be playing for them or any team for the upcoming season.

The report from the team was announced on Friday, a few days before their final preseason game (Sunday against the Golden State Valkyries).There wasn't any clear reason why Pueyo opted out for the season.

However, the report stated that it was a personal decision for her not to play.

"Former Arizona Wildcat and Casademont Zaragoza guard Helena Pueyo will not play for the Phoenix Mercury this season due to a personal decision."NEW: Former Arizona Wildcat and Casademont Zaragoza guard Helena Pueyo (@Helena_Pueyo6) will not play for the Phoenix Mercury this season due to a personal decision.

The Mercurys training camp roster is now at 16 players.#WNBA#ValleyTogether#BearDown Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 9, 2025Arizona Wildcats guard Helena Pueyo poses during women's basketball media day at Park MGM Las Vegas Conference Center.Kirby Lee-Imagn ImagesAdditionally, the report stated that Mercury will hold her rights indefinitely.

That means they have the option to either sign or waive her if she decides to return to the WNBA.Before that, Phoenix's head coach, Nate Tibbetts, commented on when Pueyo would return.Its a weird feeling, You want them to do well but part of you wants them to lose so theyre here, right? Which is messed up, Tibbetts said.Today at Phoenix Mercury training camp, coach Nate Tibbetts did not have an update as to when Kitija Laksa, Murjanatu Musa and Helena Pueyo will report to camp.

Laksa is playing in Italy, and Musa and Pueyo are playing in France and Spain, respectively.#WNBA#ValleyTogetherpic.twitter.com/aHRKumGkmo Desert Wave Media (@DesertWaveCo) May 4, 2025Pueyo was selected in the second round in 2024 by the Connecticut Sun.

However, she never played a game for the Sun during her rookie season since she was waived by the organization days before the start of the campaign.Days before she was waived, however, the former Arizona Wildcats guard signed a deal with Basket Zaragoza of the Spanish Liga ACB.

During her time in college, she wasn't a big-time scorer.

Although she averaged 25.8 minutes during her five-year stay, Pueyo only averaged 5.9 points, three rebounds and 2.4 assists.Related: Phoenix Mercury 2025 WNBA Season Preview.

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