Washington Mystics Roster
No. 22Matee AjavonPosition: GuardHt., Wt.: 5-8, 160 Experience: Second year Last season: 8.0 ppg, 1.8 rpg, 79.1 FT% (Comets) | Strengths: Equipped with blistering speed and great at creating space in transition. She also has a knack for forcing turnovers. Weaknesses: She's a young player adjusting to the league. After a limited role with the Comets in her rookie season, she'll be asked to shoulder additional responsibilities with the Mystics. |
No. 20Alana BeardPosition: Guard/ForwardHt., Wt.: 5-11, 160 Experience: Sixth year Last season: 16.1 ppg, 3.6 rpg, 73.3 FT% | Strengths: A strong all-around player and game changer who can will the team to victory on her own; still the cornerstone of the franchise. Weaknesses: Trusting her teammates to fulfill their responsibilities. The coaching staff has asked her to relax and let everyone be accountable rather than trying to do everything by herself. |
No. 32Nikki BluePosition: Point guardHt., Wt.: 5-8, 163 Experience: Fourth year Last season: 3.8 ppg, 1.6 rpg, 76.0 FT% | Strengths: Has improved her decision-making on the court and shows a dedicated work ethic that has gained the confidence of the new coaching staff and her teammates. Weaknesses: Was flustered easily last season when targeted by the opposition, which led to hasty passes and unforced turnovers. |
No. 4Marissa ColemanPosition: Guard/ForwardHt., Wt.: 6-1, 160 Experience: 6-1, 160 Last season: 18.1 ppg, 8.6 rpg, 80.0 FT % (Maryland) | Strengths: Excellent playmaker, strong rebounder whose size makes her versatile; boasts one of the most accurate shots of the rookies. Weaknesses: Coming from Maryland's offense-first style, she must prove she can have as significant an impact on the defensive end as well. |
No. 25Monique CurryPosition: ForwardHt., Wt.: 6-0, 177 Experience: Fourth year Last season: 11.9 ppg, 4.1 rpg, 82.6 FT% | Strengths: A strong defender who shows patience on the offensive end, she can also be effective from behind the arc. Weaknesses: Plagued by inconsistency throughout her career, she needs to display an ability to be a regular contributor and fill her role as a member of Washington's core group of players. |
No. 10Lindsey HardingPosition: Point guardHt., Wt.: 5-8, 139 Experience: Third year Last season: 6.4 ppg, 2.3 rpg, 69.4 FT% (Lynx) | Strengths: An aggressive ball handler who pushes the tempo, the former overall No. 1 draft pick boasts considerable speed and defensive instincts. Weaknesses: Limited by knee injuries throughout her first two seasons in the league, it's unclear if she is durable enough to be a team's go-to point guard. |
No. 34Tasha HumphreyPosition: CenterHt., Wt.: 6-3, 190 Experience: Second year Last season: 11.1 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 58.8 FT% | Strengths: A physical presence in the post who's extremely efficient with her shots and offensive possessions. Weaknesses: A physical presence in the post who's extremely efficient with her shots and offensive possessions. |
No. 1Crystal LanghornePosition: Forward/CenterHt., Wt.: 6-2, 190 Experience: Second year Last season: 4.8 ppg, 4.0 rpg, 54.9 FT% | Strengths: One of the most consistent players on the roster, she is unflappable in games and gained confidence after leading her Lithuanian team to a league championship in the WNBA offseason. Weaknesses: An undersized post player, she took her knocks as a rookie. |
No. 44Chasity MelvinPosition: Center/ForwardHt., Wt.: 6-3, 185 Experience: 11th year Last season: 8.2 ppg, 5.1 rpg, 61.4 FT% (Sky) | Strengths: A wily veteran who has played for a number of coaches and teams, she has the experience and perspective many of her younger teammates lack. A reliable workhorse in the post. Weaknesses: Is she willing to work through the growing pains of a young squad during her second stint in Washington? |
No. 51Josephine OwinoPosition: CenterHt., Wt.: 6-3, not available Experience: Rookie Last season: 19.3 ppg, 8.5 rpg, 70.7 FT% (Union, Tenn.) | Strengths: A physical post player and constant presence on the scoresheet in college. A Mombasa, Kenya native who also has international experience playing for the Kenyan national team. Weaknesses: She is still a raw, young player who needs to adapt to the WNBA game. |
No. 43Nakia SanfordPosition: Forward/CenterHt., Wt.: 6-4, 200 Experience: Seventh year Last season: 6.7 ppg, 5.7 rpg, 39.8 FT% | Strengths: A solid post player and a source of energy in the locker room. She and Melvin form a veteran tandem to anchor the front court. Weaknesses: Struggled with consistency and averaged a team high 4.10 personal fouls per game in 2008 that limited her effectiveness. |
CoachJulie Plank | Experience: First year as a head coach. Strong reputation after nine years as a WNBA assistant. Key objective: Find a way to maximize the talent and motivate the players even if the team struggles. |
General ManagerAngela Taylor | Experience: First year as a general manager. Worked in the Minnesota Lynx front office for two years after nearly a decade working in the league office. Key objective: Create a core nucleus of players that can remain intact for years to come and turn the franchise around. |