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Alyssa Thomas and coach Nate Tibbetts of the Phoenix Mercury received recognition in the 2026 WNBA GM survey. Thomas ranked second for her impact on opposing teams, while the survey assessed various players and teams ahead of the league's 30th season.
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Phoenix Mercury players Alyssa Thomas, Kahleah Copper, along with third-year coach Nate Tibbetts and his assistant Kristi Toliver, earned votes in the 2026 WNBA GM survey questions released May 5.
The survey tallied responses from the league's 15 general managers, who were asked 42 questions to assess the best teams, players, coaches, offseason moves and more, prior to tip-off of the league’s 30th season. GMs weren't allowed to handpick from their own team or personnel.
Among the questions was, "Which player forces opposing coaches to make the most adjustments?" Thomas came in No. 2 behind A'ja Wilson of the defending champion Las Vegas Aces. Wilson came in No. 1 in many categories and is a favorite to win her record-fifth league MVP award this season.
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) leaps into guard Sami Whitcomb (30) as they are introduced before playing Team Japan during a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) drives past Team Japan forward Minami Yabu (37) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Alyssa Thomas plays as a forward for the Phoenix Mercury.
The coach of the Phoenix Mercury in 2026 is Nate Tibbetts.
The 2026 WNBA GM survey aimed to assess the best teams, players, coaches, and offseason moves before the league's 30th season.
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Fans cheer from the stands as the Phoenix Mercury play Team Japan during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) brings the ball past mid court as Team Japan guard Kokoro Tanaka (26) defends during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts huddles with his players as they take on Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball over Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury players huddle up before their preseason game against Team Japan at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) fights for a lose ball with Team Japan guard Mona Tateyama (19) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) looks to pass the ball as Team Japan guard Minami Yabu (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Ashten Prechtel (10) fights for a loose ball with Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Team Japan celebrates making a shot against the Phoenix Mercury during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) celebrates making a shot while being fouled against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (24) makes a shot while being fouled by Team Japan guard Norika Konno (2) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) is called for a charge as Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
The Phoenix Mercury dancers perform as they play Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) shoots the ball over Team Japan guards Mai Yamamato (23) and Mio Shiraishi (30) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts talsk to his team as they take on Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) fouls Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) reacts after being called for a foul against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Aisha Sheppard (17) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) lays the ball up past Phoenix Mercury guard LaurenJensen (15) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) is defended by Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) leaps into guard Sami Whitcomb (30) as they are introduced before playing Team Japan during a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) leaps into guard Sami Whitcomb (30) as they are introduced before playing Team Japan during a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) drives past Team Japan forward Minami Yabu (37) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Fans cheer from the stands as the Phoenix Mercury play Team Japan during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Sami Whitcomb (33) brings the ball past mid court as Team Japan guard Kokoro Tanaka (26) defends during their preseason game at the Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts huddles with his players as they take on Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward DeWanna Bonner (24) shoots the ball over Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury players huddle up before their preseason game against Team Japan at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Morgan Maly (30) fights for a lose ball with Team Japan guard Mona Tateyama (19) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) looks to pass the ball as Team Japan guard Minami Yabu (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Ashten Prechtel (10) fights for a loose ball with Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Team Japan celebrates making a shot against the Phoenix Mercury during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (4) celebrates making a shot while being fouled against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury forward Natasha Mack (24) makes a shot while being fouled by Team Japan guard Norika Konno (2) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) is called for a charge as Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) defends during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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The Phoenix Mercury dancers perform as they play Team Japan in a preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Kahleah Cooper (2) shoots the ball over Team Japan guards Mai Yamamato (23) and Mio Shiraishi (30) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury head coach Nate Tibbetts talsk to his team as they take on Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) fouls Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Lauren Jensen (15) reacts after being called for a foul against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) drives past Phoenix Mercury guard Aisha Sheppard (17) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Team Japan guard Nanako Todo (75) lays the ball up past Phoenix Mercury guard LaurenJensen (15) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Kiana Williams (23) is defended by Team Japan guard Mai Yamamato (23) during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
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Phoenix Mercury guard Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
When asked to identify the best defensive player, Thomas came in No. 3, behind Wilson (No. 1) and Gabby Williams (No. 2) of the Golden State Valkyries. Thomas tied with the Seattle Storm's Ezi Magbegor at No. 3 for best interior defender. She also tied with Williams for second as the league's most versatile player, behind No. 1 Breanna Stewart of the New York Liberty.
Toliver is tied for No. 2 with Indiana's Briann January for Best Assistant Coach.
Phoenix Mercury forward Alyssa Thomas (25) drives into the lane against Team Japan during their preseason game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, on April 29, 2026.
Copper received votes in the best perimeter defender and most athletic player questions.
For coach who's the "best motivator/manager of people," Tibbetts finished in a three-way tie for No. 2 with the Indiana Fever's Stephanie White and the Golden State Valkyries' 2025 Coach of the Year Natalie Nakase, trailing the Aces' Becky Hammon at No. 1.
Tibbetts also is No. 2 for, ''Which coach runs the best offense?'' behind the Minnesota Lynx's Cheryl Reeve. He is tied with Nakase for No. 3 in, "Which coach makes the best in-game adjustments?"
After the Mercury training camp ends May 7, they will travel to face the Aces in their season opener on Saturday, May 9. The game will air at 12:30 p.m. (MST) on ABC. The Mercury were eliminated in a four-game sweep by the Aces in last year's WNBA Finals.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix Mercury's Thomas, Tibbetts ranked in WNBA 2026 GM survey