Celebrity Name: Mercedes Russell
New Company: FirstPick Management
Primary Agent: Fabio Jardine
Department: Player Representation (Basketball)
Territory: Worldwide
- Two-time WNBA champion Mercedes Russell has officially signed with FirstPick Management, a globally recognized women’s basketball agency founded by FIBA & WNBA-certified agent Fabio Jardine.
- Russell, a 6’6″ center, brings eight years of WNBA experience to the partnership, including back-to-back championships with the Seattle Storm in 2018 and 2020.
- FirstPick Management, headquartered in Brazil with a worldwide reach, specializes exclusively in women’s basketball career representation, making it a strong strategic fit for Russell’s next chapter.
- The signing comes as Russell looks to re-establish her WNBA footing after competing in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season, signaling active movement on her professional future.
Mercedes Russell isn’t just making moves on the hardwood. The 29-year-old center has officially signed with FirstPick Management, one of women’s basketball’s most respected global agencies, as she maps out the next phase of her professional career.
Russell, a Springfield, Oregon native, is no stranger to winning. The 6’6″ big woman helped the Seattle Storm claim back-to-back WNBA titles in 2018 and 2020, cementing her legacy as one of the league’s most reliable frontcourt contributors over eight seasons.
She also earned WNBL Defensive Player of the Year honors in Australia, averaging 16.5 points and 9.8 rebounds per game during the 2019–20 season, proof her game travels well internationally.
Most recently, Russell participated in the 2026 Athletes Unlimited Pro Basketball season, keeping her competitive edge sharp after being waived by the Los Angeles Sparks midway through the 2025 WNBA season.
Now, she’s teaming up with FirstPick Management, the Brazil-based agency founded in 2006 by Fabio Jardine. Jardine, a FIBA and WNBA certified agent, has built FirstPick into a go-to representation firm for elite women’s basketball players around the globe.
The agency is known for its hands-on approach (prioritizing both the personal and professional growth of its clients), making it a natural home for a seasoned veteran like Russell who still has meaningful basketball ahead of her.
This move is a strong signal that Russell is far from finished. With her championship pedigree, international track record, and now a top-tier global agency in her corner, she’s in a strong position to land her next opportunity, whether in the WNBA or overseas.
This move follows similar signings by WNBA peers. Isabelle Harrison recently joined FirstPick, strengthening the agency’s women’s basketball roster.
Also, top UConn star, Azzi Fudd, recently signed a Geico endorsement deal, showed significant off‑court momentum heading into her expected transition to the pros.
Takeaways
This signing tells a bigger story. Mercedes Russell is a two-time champion who spent years as one of Seattle’s most dependable bigs; and now, with the right management behind her, she’s clearly positioning for a strong return.
FirstPick doesn’t just sign players; they build long-term careers, especially for women whose value often extends well beyond domestic leagues.
What’s really interesting here is the timing. Russell competed in Athletes Unlimited’s 2026 season, which means she’s stayed game-ready. That’s not the profile of someone winding down, that’s someone fighting for another shot.
And with a FIBA-certified agency now opening doors across Europe, Asia, and beyond, her options just got a whole lot wider.
Will FirstPick Management leverage Russell’s international experience to place her in a premium overseas league? Will FirstPick emerge as one of the go‑to agencies for top women’s hoopers after adding names like Russell and Harrison?
