By Athelia Knight
Washington Post Staff Writer
Thursday, June 10, 1999; Page H2

Markita Aldridge
No.: 32
Position: Guard (5-10, 153)
College: UNC Charlotte '96
Age: 25
Pro experience: Portland Power, Colorado Xplosion (ABL), 1996-97; Philadelphia Rage (ABL), 1997-98; Columbus Quest (ABL), 1998.
How acquired: Training camp invitee.
Data: A quick and scrappy shooting guard, Aldridge is a strong defender who will dive for loose balls. The Mystics coaches praise her intelligence and competitiveness. She played sparingly on the ABL teams as a backup guard. Earlier this year, she played in 11 games for the Columbus Quest before the league folded. At UNC Charlotte, she was named to the all-Metro Conference team four consecutive seasons. She is the all-time assists leader and the only player in school history to rank in the top 10 in scoring, rebounding, assists, steals and blocked shots.

Shalonda Enis
No.: 3
Position: Forward-Center (6-1, 185)
College: Alabama '97
Age: 24
Pro experience: Seattle Reign (ABL), 1997-98, 1998.
How acquired: 1999 WNBA draft (2nd choice, 13th overall).
Data: Among the top ABL players available when the league folded, she was ABL rookie of the year. Enis is projected as the starting power forward who could see time at center. A versatile scorer with the quickness and ability to put the ball on the floor and get by people. Likes the transition game. In the ABL, led post players in three-point shooting percentage in 1997-98. A first team all-Southeastern Conference selection, she led Alabama to the NCAA East regional in 1997. She was the team's leading scorer (17 points per game) and rebounder (8.9 rebounds per game) in 1996-97.

Chamique Holdsclaw
No.: 23
Position: Forward (6-2, 167)
College: Tennessee '99
Age: 21
Pro experience: None.
How acquired: WNBA draft (1st overall).
Data: The most heralded women's player since Cheryl Miller, all eyes will be on her to see if she measures up to the hype. With both grace and quickness, she can slash to the basket, post up or shoot from outside. But she will draw the toughest defenses in the league every time she takes the court. After leading the Lady Volunteers to three consecutive NCAA championships, she shot 2 for 18 in a loss to Duke in the NCAA tournament round of eight in March. Her jersey number is not a tribute to Michael Jordan, to whom she has been compared, but a nod to the 23rd Psalm. She is a member of the U.S. national team that will play in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Monica Maxwell
No.: 21
Position: Forward (5-9, 162)
College: Louisiana Tech '99
Age: 22
Pro experience: none.
How acquired: Training camp invitee.
Data: A strong outside shooter, she is learning to supplement her outside shot with some dribble penetration and pull-up jumpers. A strong rebounder and defensive player who puts pressure on the ball. Was named the 1999 Sun Belt Conference tournament most valuable player after scoring 29 points and grabbing 17 rebounds in two games. Had 22 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals and 5 assists against UCLA as Louisiana Tech advanced to the Final Four, where the Lady Techsters lost to eventual champion Purdue in the semifinals. The previous season, Maxwell had led Louisiana Tech to the NCAA championship game, in which the Techsters lost to Tennessee.

Nikki McCray
No.: 15
Position: Guard (5-11, 158)
College: Tennessee '95
Age: 26
Pro experience: Columbus (ABL), 1996-97; Mystics, 1998.
How acquired: Assigned by league in 1998.
Data: The Mystics' leading scorer last season, she carried the burden of being the team's only true offensive threat and often tried to do too much. Although she was fourth in the league in scoring, she also led the league in turnovers (125). The addition of Holdsclaw should ease the pressure on her and increase her opportunities for open shots. The Mystics coaches say she has improved her outside shooting and is working on her shot selection. A member of the 1996 U.S. Olympic gold medal women's basketball team, she is on the national team and is expected to compete in the 2000 Olympics in Sydney.

Penny Moore
No.: 24
Position: Forward (6-0, 135)
College: Long Beach State '91
Age: 30
Pro experience: Fokopo (Finland), 1993; VFL Bouchum (Germany), 1994; Racing Luxembourg, 1996-97; Charlotte Sting (WNBA), 1997; Mystics 1998; Galil Alyon (Israel), 1998-99.
How acquired: 1998 expansion draft (4th overall).
Data: Moore, a sound defensive player, uses her rangy build and long arms effectively. She started 26 games last season and reached scoring highs of 18 points against Detroit on June 21 and Los Angeles on Aug. 3. She struggled offensively late in the season and did not play in the season finale. She will be used in a reserve role this season. Before being selected by the Mystics in the 1998 expansion draft, she played one season for the Charlotte Sting. Attended Stuart High in Falls Church.

Andrea Nagy
No.: 16
Position: Guard (5-7, 147)
College: Florida International '95
Age: 27.
Pro experience: Strasbourg (France), 1995-1996; Seattle Reign (ABL), 1996-97; Long Beach StingRays (ABL), 1997-98; Philadelphia Rage (ABL), 1998; Fenerbache Istanbul (Turkey), 1999.
How acquired: WNBA draft (third round, 25th overall).
Data: Projected as starting point guard, she brings experience from the ABL and overseas pro leagues. She impressed Mystics coaches with her deceptive speed and ability to push the ball up the court. Although she sees her primary responsibility as distributing the ball -- especially to Chamique Holdsclaw and Nikki McCray -- she can still score when needed. In college, she was the NCAA Division I leader in assists in her junior and senior years. She was third in assists in the ABL in 1997-98.

Heather Owen
No.: 44
Position: Forward (6-5, 212)
College: Stanford '98
Age: 26
Pro experience: Avenier de Rennes (France), 1998-99.
How acquired: Training camp invitee.
Data: With a wide and powerful body, she is the team's strongest post player and the only one who can consistently outmuscle opponents down low. She will come off the bench and be used as a defensive stopper in the low post. In her four seasons at Stanford, she averaged 6.6 points 3.9 rebounds per game and helped lead Stanford to three consecutive NCAA Final Four appearances (1995-97). She started all 27 games in her senior year and averaged 10 points and 5.3 rebounds. She was fifth in the Pac-10 in free throw percentage her senior season at Stanford, shooting .730, and also shot .529 from the field. Starts season on injured list (shoulder).

Murriel Page
No.: 10
Position: Forward (6-2, 160)
College: Florida '98
Age: 23
Pro experience: Mystics, 1998.
How acquired: 1998 draft (1st round, 3rd overall)
Data: Spent last season learning the pro game while being thrust into a starting role immediately. Will have more time to learn this season as she likely will come off the bench behind Enis. Could make more of an impact as she matures. Can rebound and run the floor as well as play strong defense. At her best when the team is playing full-court defense. Only Mystics player to start all 30 games last season and was second on the team in rebounding average. Used the WNBA's offseason to return to the University of Florida, where she completed a degree in sports management. Scored in double figures 10 times last season, and had at least 10 rebounds four times.

Alessandra Santos de Oliveira
No.: 11
Position: Center (6-5, 181)
Country: Brazil
Age: 25
Pro experience: Sao Paulo (Brazil), 1992-96; Messina (Italy), 1998; Mystics, 1998; SFT (Como, Italy), 1998-99.
How acquired: Assigned by league in 1998.
Data: Santos de Oliveira arrived late to training camp because she was playing with the Brazilian national team but is the likely starting center. Last season, she led the Mystics in field goal percentage and rebounding average before a knee injury sidelined her for 14 games. She returned to play the final two games. Although she is quick and athletic for her size, her overall game is raw. She has a strong low-post game but needs to add more power moves. She spent the offseason playing in the Italian League, where her team reached the European finals.

Jennifer Whittle
No.: 12
Position: Center (6-5, 176)
Country: Australia
Age: 26
Pro experience: Australian Institute of Sports, 1989-91; Brisbane Blazers (Women's National Basketball League of Australia), 1992-97; Perth Breakers (WNBL), 1998-99.
How acquired: WNBA draft (fourth round, 37th overall).
Data: Whittle will back up Alessandra Santos de Oliveira at center. A newcomer to the WNBA, she has good mobility for her size and a nice touch around the basket. She can shoot hook shots with either hand and can also hit three-pointers. Years in Australia's WNBL have helped her refine her game. In 1998-99, she led that league in blocked shots and was an all-star in 1996-97. She is a member of the Australian Olympic team.

Rita Williams
No.: 13
Position: Guard (5-6, 135)
College: Connecticut '98
Age: 23
Pro experience: Mystics, 1998.
How acquired: 1998 draft (2nd round, 13th overall).
Data: Williams played in all 30 games last season, starting 18 at point guard, but was hurt by a lack of experience running the team. This season, she will back up Nagy. She is a transition guard who can make things happen on the defensive end. She has improved her outside shooting after averaging 32 percent in her rookie season, but she needs to develop more confidence in her shot. After a largely ineffective rookie season, the Mystics coaches say she is learning to read defenses and deliver appropriate passes. Last season, she averaged fewer assists (2.3) than McCray (3.1). Agreed to give up her No. 23 jersey to Holdsclaw in exchange for a set of golf clubs and lessons.