Phoenix Mercury rookie Jovana Nogic, who averaged 10.4 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.6 assists in 16 games, won't be returning after leaving the team in June.
The Mercury temporarily suspended Nogic's contract when she left, with head coach Nate Tibbetts citing "personal reasons" as the cause of the Serbian guard's departure.
By putting Nogic's contract under temporary suspension, Phoenix opened up a roster spot to add another player. Her salary still counts toward the team's cap, but her roster spot remains available until she returns.
However, a report from her home country claimed that Nogic left the Mercury to rest this summer, so that she could prepare for her upcoming season with Russian club UMMC Yekaterinburg, as well as for Serbia's EuroBasket 2027 qualifiers.
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Following the report, the Mercury issued an official statement to clarify the circumstances surrounding Nogic. Phoenix stood firm on Tibbetts' earlier message that Nogic's absence is due to "personal reasons."
"The well-being of our players is our top priority," Mercury general manager Nick U'ren said about Nogic. "We appreciate the hard work, commitment and joy she brought to Phoenix this season."
Nogic also addressed her departure from the Mercury, noting that it was "not an easy decision." However, she promised to return to the team in 2027, highlighting that she's looking forward to that day.
Nogic had an impressive start to her WNBA career with the Mercury. She scored 19 points to help the team secure a win against the Las Vegas Aces in the season opener. Less than a week after that, she set the record for the most points scored in a single game by an undrafted rookie with 27 points against the Chicago Sky.
For now, though, Phoenix can only stay patient and wait for Nogic's return.
