The Phoenix Mercury’s Hip Hop Squad is making a return for the first time since summer 2019.
After nearly three years, the WNBA’s entertainment team is performing on May 6 for opening night.
The Phoenix Mercury will open the 2022 regular season at home against the Las Vegas Aces. The two teams faced off in last season’s semi-finals where the Mercury advanced to the Finals for the first time since 2014.
The hip hop squad is coached by Luis “Weezy” Egurrola and performs at every home game held at the Footprint Center in Phoenix.
Egurrola has been a member of the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad for 12 years and coach for 10, he has performed and choreographed for other NBA dance teams including those of the Portland Trail Blazers, Denver Nuggets and Golden State Warriors, according to Ahwatukee Foothills News.
“Weezy does a perfect balance of making sure we’re on top of it and learning everything, but also creating a fun and enjoyable environment to learn it in,” Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad dancer Karla Marquez said.
Marquez said she has been a dancer for most of her life, although most of what she learned was self-taught through YouTube videos. This will be her first year on the Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad.
Being on the team has opened doors to many opportunities and has pushed her to become a powerful dancer, Marquez said.
According to Marquez, her goal past this team is to continue the path of commercial dancing. She said she loves performing and being a part of this team has introduced her to a new realm of commercial dance.
The team is a group of 16 hip hop dancers that help keep the energy high during games, and they also make appearances at Phoenix Suns games, according to Marquez.
“As a rookie on the team, I was impressed with the group of talented dancers. It’s been a big change from my previous dance experiences and I’m lucky to have such a supportive team and coach,” Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad dancer Ani Cantu said.
Cantu said practice is held twice a week and is spent learning new choreography to prepare for upcoming games.
Being a part of the hip squad has allowed them to pursue their shared passion for dancing and chase their dreams together, according to Cantu.
“The group of dancers on this team have been really supportive of each other. During the auditions, we collectively had a really good time. It wasn’t a competitive environment, but rather it was more just cheering each other on,” Phoenix Mercury Hip Hop Squad dancer Callie Rivera said.
Rivera said she trained and danced professionally back home in New York City for most of her life. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she said training was harder to find, but she is happy to get back into dancing and be a part of a team.
Rivera said Phoenix Mercury’s Hip Hop Squad is excited for the season to begin and all their hard work to pay off.
“We are eager for the 2022 season and also continuing to work hard to be the best we can be,” Rivera said.
Contact the reporter at lstate@asu.edu.
