LAS VEGAS (UNLVRebels.com) – UNLV's Desi-Rae Young has signed a training camp contract with the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury.
 
"Thank you to everyone who pushed me to be great. Things never come easy! But this has been a dream and goal since I was 12 years old," said Young. "Huge shout out to UNLV for allowing me to showcase my talent in front of my family, friends, and the Las Vegas community. I can't wait to showcase my talent at Phoenix Mercury and prove that I am built for this. I love you all❤️ #23out"
 
WNBA teams open training camps on April 28, while Phoenix begins preseason play with a game against the back-to-back reigning WNBA Champions, Las Vegas Aces, at Michelob ULTRA Arena on Tuesday, May 14.
 
"I am so proud and very excited for Desi to start the next chapter of her basketball career," said Lady Rebels' Head Coach Lindy La Rocque. "She's worked very hard to be a professional and now she is seeing that come true. She will always be one of the greatest Lady Rebels of all-time and I can't wait to cheer her on for years and years to come."
 
Young, a 6-foot-1 center, is a WBCA 2024 All-America honorable mention honoree, and finished her phenomenal UNLV career being only one of two Lady Rebels in program history to reach the 2,000 career points and 1,000 career rebounds mark. Additionally, Young marked her name in the top-10 of eight different all-time categories, top-5 in seven of the eight categories and notched two new school records for most points scored and most field goals made by a Lady Rebel in the NCAA Tournament. Her remarkable career also includes being honored 11 times as Mountain West Player of the Week, two-time MW Player of the Year, four-time All-Mountain West selection, three-time MW All-Defensive team, two-time MW All-Tournament team, the 2023 MW Championship Tournament MVP and the 2021 MW Freshman of the Year. Young was also a 2024 Top-10 Finalist for the prestigious Lisa Leslie Award and a two-time Becky Hammon Mid-Major Player of the Year Semifinalist.
 
During her senior campaign, Young had one of her best seasons of basketball leading the squad with a career-high 18.2 points per game. She was one of four DI players this season to at least average 17.0 points, 9.0 rebounds, 2.0 assists and a steal per game this season. Young helped the Lady Rebels to three consecutive Mountain West regular season titles, tournament titles and three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament. The Lady Rebels three straight appearances in the NCAA Tournament were the first since 1989 to 1991.