Kansas State University Athletics
‘Coming to K-State Really Helped Me’
Apr 16, 2025 | Women's Basketball, Sports Extra
By: D. Scott Fritchen
Nearly one year to the day that Temira Poindexter phoned head coach Jeff Mittie and committed to Kansas State for an opportunity to play at the highest level of college basketball, the 6-foot-2 forward received a phone call of her own that might further change her life.
Poindexter signed a free agent contract with the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night as the 2025 WNBA Draft was winding down, getting an opportunity to prove herself for a roster spot on one of the eight original WNBA franchises, which has made the playoffs in 18 of 28 years, and that has been home to Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Brittney Griner.
"They called me and said, 'We want you really bad,'" Poindexter said. "My agent told me they had been keeping up with me since my Tulsa days. It made me feel really good that they had a lot of interest in me. It gives me a little confidence."
Last season, the injury-riddled Mercury saw their projected starting lineup play just 11 games together during a 19-21 season that ended with a first-round loss to the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs. The Mercury went 9-31 in 2023 with their third-fewest wins in franchise history.
Ninth-year 6-foot-4 guard-forward Kahleah Copper is the top returning scorer with 21.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. Fifth-year 6-foot-4 forward Satou Sabally averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
A glance at the current 2025 Mercury roster suggests a relatively young squad this season with 10 players listed who have fewer than three years of experience.
An ideal situation for Poindexter? Perhaps.
"Everybody has been telling me to just put my head down," Poindexter said. "Everybody is in the same boat there. They're trying to vie for a spot and starting from scratch just like me. It gives me confidence to go out there and do me and show them that I can be a big help for the team. I'm excited."
Poindexter, in her lone season at K-State, saved her best performance for the NCAA Tournament when she drained eight 3-pointers en route to a 24-point, six-rebound, six-block effort in an 80-79 win over Kentucky. But she was highly effective throughout her time in Manhattan.
An All-Big 12 Third Team selection, Poindexter averaged 12.5 points on a career-high 45.5% shooting from the floor. She shot a career-high 40.0% from 3-point range (92-of-230), and her 92 3-pointer were fifth most in school history in a single season. She also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks.
"I'm really able to stretch out the defense," she said. "I'm able to shoot the ball really well, so pick-and-pops, and their point guard can draw two players, and I can pop and shoot the 3. I can stretch the game a little bit. On defense, I can guard inside or outside. I'm versatile."
Poindexter came to K-State after a decorated three-year career at Tulsa, where she earned 2024 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and 2022 AAC Freshman of the Year honors. She joined JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers as the only players in the nation with 700 points and 50 blocks in 2024.
She carried WNBA aspirations to Manhattan.
"Coming to K-State really helped me because of the physicality and the competition," she said. "That has prepared me. I definitely feel that my transition to K-State is going to help and has prepared me for the WNBA.
"This is what I've been working for. This is what I've wanted. It sucks that I wasn't drafted, but I still get the opportunity to try and be on a WNBA team. Nothing has ever been easy for me, so this is another day in the life. I'll go out there and try to show them who I am."
Poindexter leaves Thursday for Phoenix for medical testing and workouts. Training camp begins on April 25.
"Believe in yourself and always do what you feel is best," she said. "Everyone's journey is different. It's easy to compare your story and your journey to others but stay true to yourself and always believe in yourself. If you think you can do it, then have the confidence and just do it. It might be scary, but if you work hard, it'll all pay off.
"I've learned a lot about myself. If you stay determined, everything will work out — just like it is now."
Nearly one year to the day that Temira Poindexter phoned head coach Jeff Mittie and committed to Kansas State for an opportunity to play at the highest level of college basketball, the 6-foot-2 forward received a phone call of her own that might further change her life.
Poindexter signed a free agent contract with the Phoenix Mercury on Monday night as the 2025 WNBA Draft was winding down, getting an opportunity to prove herself for a roster spot on one of the eight original WNBA franchises, which has made the playoffs in 18 of 28 years, and that has been home to Diana Taurasi, Cappie Pondexter and Brittney Griner.
"They called me and said, 'We want you really bad,'" Poindexter said. "My agent told me they had been keeping up with me since my Tulsa days. It made me feel really good that they had a lot of interest in me. It gives me a little confidence."
Last season, the injury-riddled Mercury saw their projected starting lineup play just 11 games together during a 19-21 season that ended with a first-round loss to the Minnesota Lynx in the playoffs. The Mercury went 9-31 in 2023 with their third-fewest wins in franchise history.
Ninth-year 6-foot-4 guard-forward Kahleah Copper is the top returning scorer with 21.1 points and 4.5 rebounds. Fifth-year 6-foot-4 forward Satou Sabally averaged 17.9 points, 6.4 rebounds and 5.0 assists.
A glance at the current 2025 Mercury roster suggests a relatively young squad this season with 10 players listed who have fewer than three years of experience.
An ideal situation for Poindexter? Perhaps.
"Everybody has been telling me to just put my head down," Poindexter said. "Everybody is in the same boat there. They're trying to vie for a spot and starting from scratch just like me. It gives me confidence to go out there and do me and show them that I can be a big help for the team. I'm excited."
Poindexter, in her lone season at K-State, saved her best performance for the NCAA Tournament when she drained eight 3-pointers en route to a 24-point, six-rebound, six-block effort in an 80-79 win over Kentucky. But she was highly effective throughout her time in Manhattan.
An All-Big 12 Third Team selection, Poindexter averaged 12.5 points on a career-high 45.5% shooting from the floor. She shot a career-high 40.0% from 3-point range (92-of-230), and her 92 3-pointer were fifth most in school history in a single season. She also averaged 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, 1.0 steals and 1.4 blocks.
"I'm really able to stretch out the defense," she said. "I'm able to shoot the ball really well, so pick-and-pops, and their point guard can draw two players, and I can pop and shoot the 3. I can stretch the game a little bit. On defense, I can guard inside or outside. I'm versatile."
Poindexter came to K-State after a decorated three-year career at Tulsa, where she earned 2024 American Athletic Conference Player of the Year and 2022 AAC Freshman of the Year honors. She joined JuJu Watkins and Paige Bueckers as the only players in the nation with 700 points and 50 blocks in 2024.
She carried WNBA aspirations to Manhattan.
"Coming to K-State really helped me because of the physicality and the competition," she said. "That has prepared me. I definitely feel that my transition to K-State is going to help and has prepared me for the WNBA.
"This is what I've been working for. This is what I've wanted. It sucks that I wasn't drafted, but I still get the opportunity to try and be on a WNBA team. Nothing has ever been easy for me, so this is another day in the life. I'll go out there and try to show them who I am."
Poindexter leaves Thursday for Phoenix for medical testing and workouts. Training camp begins on April 25.
"Believe in yourself and always do what you feel is best," she said. "Everyone's journey is different. It's easy to compare your story and your journey to others but stay true to yourself and always believe in yourself. If you think you can do it, then have the confidence and just do it. It might be scary, but if you work hard, it'll all pay off.
"I've learned a lot about myself. If you stay determined, everything will work out — just like it is now."
Players Mentioned
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