Langhorne Off and Running With Mystics

Former Terrapin, the Team's Top Draft Pick, Looks Impressive in Early Stages of Camp

Since Maryland lost to Stanford in the NCAA women's basketball tournament in early April, Crystal Langhorne's life has moved at a breakneck pace. First there was the WNBA draft, then a two-week stint with the U.S. national team that took her from Chicago to Beijing.

And yesterday, just a day after returning from China, the sixth overall draft pick joined Washington Mystics training camp at Trinity University.

"The past few weeks have been the craziest of my life," Langhorne said. "Playing with the U.S. team and veterans like Lisa Leslie and Katie Smith was amazing, but I'm really so happy to be back, ready to get settled and become part of this team."

There's no time to waste as Langhorne rapidly becomes a regular part of the Mystics' makeup, adapting to new teammates and coaches -- and the plays Coach Tree Rollins handed the rookie when she arrived. Luckily, Langhorne said, Washington's style is similar to the Terrapins' and includes many familiar plays, with different names.

"I got about 30 plays today," Langhorne said. "But as I go along and as more players come in from overseas I'll be able to pick things up pretty fast."

Nothing seemed to hamper Maryland's all-time leading scorer and rebounder much in her first day of camp. Coming off a senior season in which she averaged 17.3 points and 9.4 rebounds per game, Langhorne lived up to expectations as she and Nikki Blue connected repeatedly in yesterday's scrimmages.

"It's amazing," said Blue, who added that Langhorne's play stood out when she went to a game between Maryland and UCLA this past season.

"The first hour she's here I probably had three assists to her," Blue said. "I'll be running the fast break and she'll beat me down the court -- as a post player. You don't see that too often. I'm definitely a fan already and I'm excited to play with her."

Rollins said he was impressed with Langhorne's maturity and ability to provide an instant spark to practice while working well with Washington's two remaining point guards.

The team cut veteran Rita Williams in favor of Blue, last season's backup, and free agent signee Amber Jacobs. Blue, who is entering her third WNBA season, is more of a fast-break guard while Jacobs, a proven shooter beginning her fifth season, excels in more set-style offenses.

"I encouraged them to take over this team," said Rollins, adding that both will see playing time regardless of who emerges as the starter. "To gain respect from their teammates as a point guard and while admitting that they're young, they need to go out there and demand that they're the leader on the court."

Mystics Notes: Forwards Meg Bulger and Michelle Stueve and center Danielle Hutcheson were also cut yesterday. Camp invitees Tierre Wilson and Kalika France were waived late last week. Forward Nakia Sanford and guard Tamara James, both members of last year's squad, are expected to practice with the team today, and newly acquired forward Taj McWilliams-Franklin will join the team tomorrow before the Mystics travel to Tampa for the remainder of their training camp. Washington plays its first preseason game against the Sacramento Monarchs on May 5 in Tampa.