Penny Taylor
From Hoopedia
Penny Taylor-Gil, formerly known under her maiden name of Penny Taylor, is an Australian professional basketball player. She currently plays for the Phoenix Mercury in the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA). In September 2006, she led the Australian Women's Basketball team (the Opals) to a gold medal at the World Championships, winning tournament MVP honors ahead of teammate Lauren Jackson.
She was born Penelope Jane Taylor on May 24, 1981 in Melbourne, Victoria.
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WNBL
Taylor played for Dandenong Rangers in the Australian Women's National Basketball League (WNBL) from 1998 to 2002. She led the league in scoring with 25.5 points per game and steals with 2.5 steals per game during the 2000-01 season.
WNBA
She was selected by the Cleveland Rockers in the first round (11th overall) during the annual WNBA Draft in April 20, 2001. She starred for the Rockers for three seasons.
In January 2004, the WNBA held a dispersal draft, where the league's existing teams selected former players from the Rockers team. Taylor was selected as the first overall pick by the Phoenix Mercury.
In July 2007 she was chosen as a reserve for the WNBA All Star game, her 2nd appearance.
On September 16, 2007, Penny Taylor along with Diana Taurasi led the Phoenix Mercury to the WNBA championship defeating the Detroit Shock in the final game 5 of the finals, 108 - 92, they became the first team to end out a finals series at an away venue in the WNBA.
International
Taylor played for the AIS (Australian Institute of Sport) during 1997-98.
She was named the WNBL's "Most Valuable Player" during the 2000-01 season and was selected to the WNBL All-Star Five team. She was also a member of the 1999 WNBL championship team.
In the 2004 Summer Olympics, Taylor was a member of the Opals, the Australian women's basketball team that won the silver medal.
On September 23, 2006, Taylor and the Opals that won the 2006 FIBA World Championship for Women. Taylor was named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the championship.
