May 6, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n\u201c[The] facilities, I would say,\u201d Ayayi said when asked what had surprised her most. \u201cI would say that\u2019s really like the biggest thing that I\u2019m like, \u2018Wow, this is amazing,\u2019 and that this is something serious.\u201d<\/p>\n
Phoenix has had a reputation for player investment over the course of its history, including a brand-new training facility that opened in 2024. For Ayayi, the attention to detail has reinforced that reputation around the league.<\/p>\n
The care goes beyond the court as well, as the forward also pointed to the people in the organization as another aspect that has stood out to her. It is not the first time a Mercury player has credited the organization for its care and home-like feel, but Ayayi\u2019s comments reinforce that same notion of why the Valley has felt welcoming for players.<\/p>\n
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Aug 4, 2024; Villeneuve-d\u2019Ascq, France; France small forward Valeriane Ayayi (11) controls the ball against Australia in the first half in a women\u2019s group B game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
\u201cAs I already said, I love the people here,\u201d she said. \u201cThat\u2019s also a big aspect for me because I\u2019m [a] people person. I\u2019m really into people and the care they have for me; the care for my family is huge for me.\u201d<\/p>\n
For a player coming from overseas, trust has already started with the club through early conversations and the eventual signing. But how that trust continues to be built is what shapes the transition into the league and how the team helps along the way.<\/p>\n
Ayayi\u2019s comfort level, not just professionally but personally, underscores where Phoenix stands as an organization beyond on-court results. Its willingness to support not only players but also their families has helped ease her transition from France to Arizona.<\/p>\n
Still, the day-to-day environment continues to amaze her since her arrival in the Valley.<\/p>\n
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Aug 9, 2024; Paris, France; France small forward Valeriane Ayayi (11) cheers after Team France scores in a women\u2019s basketball semifinal game during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Accor Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports<\/p>\n
\u201cBut facilities, like as a material thing, are something that I really can feel,\u201d Ayayi said. \u201cI keep sharing [with] my other friends in the [WNBA] and my family in France, and I\u2019m like, \u2018You guys have to see this \u2014 like this is just huge.’\u201d<\/p>\n
In Phoenix, Ayayi says she is already seeing what makes the Mercury more than just a team \u2014 it is a place that quickly starts to feel like home.<\/p>\n