Mercury sign G Oga

Mar 19, 2008 - 11:05 PM PHOENIX (Ticker) -- The defending WNBA champion Phoenix Mercury on Wednesday signed Japan native Yuko Oga to a training camp contract.

If the 25-year-old Oga makes the team, she will become the second Japanese player in league history. The other was Mikiko Hagiwara, who played in the WNBA in 1997-1998.

Oga, who lived in Los Angeles when she was a child, is recognized as one of the top female athletes in Japan. She became a member of the JOMO Sunflowers in 2001 and has led the team to four Women's Japanese Basketball League titles.

Oga was named the league's Most Valuable Player this season, leading the WJBL in assists (7.1) and steals (2.4) and ranking fourth in scoring (15.6).

"Yuko is a point guard who will thrive in our up-tempo offense," Mercury coach Corey Gaines said. "Her experience playing international ball and her quickness will help her fit in with our system."