The Phoenix Mercury might have led the league this year in assists on the court, but they haven’t forgotten to dish out help off it either. Along with the WNBA and Toyota, The Mercury took some time away from the WNBA Finals stage to assist in the unveiling of a new reading and learning center at the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA.

Under the WNBA Cares program, over $25,000 went to renovate and refurbish the old reading room, including a new purple-and-orange paint job, hundreds of new books, new computers and even a new air hockey table. Now members will have new furniture to rest on as they enjoy their favorite books, or can make some music playing the new Rock Band videogame on an Xbox 360 connected to a new big screen television.

Jeff Myers, who is the Executive Director of the Lincoln Family Downtown YMCA, couldn’t be happier with all the support given by the Mercury and the WNBA.

“We didn’t invest anything in this project, it was all the WNBA Cares program,” said Myers. “We are quite fortunate and blessed to have partners like the WNBA and the Phoenix Mercury who take the time to help out in the community.”

Some of the Mercury players took a break from preparing for Game 2 to be there for the unveiling and to read to the children afterwards. But these athletes couldn’t avoid the temptation of the games around them for too long, as they gave in to their inner child. Forward Le’coe Willingham was jamming out to Rock Band while center Nicole Ohlde challenged one of the younger members to a game of air hockey. Overall, it was time well spent away from the courts of the US Airways Center for the players.

“Anytime you can come and help out within the community is a fun time,” said Willingham. “This YMCA does great things for the youth of the city, and I was very happy that the WNBA and the organization came together to help them out.”

Asked whether she sees a future as a musician ahead of her, the five-year veteran out of Auburn simply replied, “I’ll just stick to basketball now.”

WNBA Cares is a part of NBA Cares, an initiative through which, the leagues, players and teams will raise and contribute $100 million for charity, donate more than 1 million hours of hands-on volunteer service to communities worldwide, and build more than 100 places where kids can learn and play over the next five years. Mercury President and COO Jay Parry was on hand, along with other representatives from the WNBA and even NBA legend Bob Lanier.

Myers believes the community involvement of the WNBA goes beyond making the YMCA more youth-friendly. He believes the effects will resonate deeper with local families.

“It shows that they [WNBA] is willing and able to invest in one of the most important assets our world has to offer, which is the youth,” Myers told PhoenixMercury.com. “It shows me that we have a partner that is willing to work with us to put kids in the downtown area in a better place. Ultimately, these young people will go on to bigger and better things.”