President Obama honors 2014 WNBA champions at the White House

WASHINGTON, Aug. 27 (UPI) -- President Obama welcomed the 2014 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) winning team, the Phoenix Mercury, to the White House Wednesday.

During a press conference, Obama initially joked about how welcoming the Phoenix Mercury team to the White House as champions meant not hosting a Chicago team in their place.

"I would be happy to be here, except that the Mercury getting here involved beating the Chicago Sky in the finals," Obama said. "You have kept yet another Chicago sports team from getting into the White House."

Following the banter, Obama commended the members of the team for being great role models through their community service in addition to being great athletes. He added that women like the Phoenix Mercury players have helped shift the perspective that is held of women and what they can accomplish.

The Mercury previously visited the White House in 2007 and 2009 as championship victors.

During the conference, six-time WNBA All-Star Diana Taurasi presented Obama with a 2014 Mercury Jersey.

The team broke the record for victories in a single season and finished the 2014 championship season at the top of the Western Conference at 29-5. The team is currently second in the West and is due to play against the Connecticut Sun on Thursday.