While most of the WNBA turned to veterans to be able to lead the team, the Washington Mystics continued to build on the youth movement and are looking to see if the fresh legs and hungry hearts can bring to the upcoming season.
By drafting players such as Lauren Betts to the squad the team is going to be able to bring different looks to the court in terms of the size this season.
Betts had this to say on the ride thus far, “It is an amazing couple of weeks It is unbelievable; I am thankful this team is amazing and everyone is nice and helpful. Taking things day by day and breathing and getting better one day at a time.”
Head Coach Sydney Johnson along with some of the team’s youth movement were all a part of the team’s media day held at CareFirst Arena in the Washington D.C. area, as the ladies were greeted warmly by those that are going to cover the team during the course of the year.
Already the rookie class is on a whirlwind ride, as Betts, Angela Dugalić, and Cotie McMahon were all at Nationals Park on April 18 to be a part of the ceremonial First Pitch.
There are going to be a wide range of things that the Mystics are going to navigate during the course of the season.
That includes the fact that the team is going to lean on second year players such as Sonia Cintron to be leaders during the course of the season.
Cintron reflected on that during the course of the media day by saying the following on her leadership style, “For me being a leader is pulling people to the side and explaining and showing them what the Coaches are looking for. Just sharing how things are and not keeping things to myself,” Sonia continued by saying. “I am hoping that I can become more vocal and being able to help them through drills.”
There is a ton of excitement in the air in the Washington D.C. area thanks to the Mystics Youth Movement, and that is something that is also felt by the players as well.
“We have big goals…we want to win a championship together and do it with love and joy and to be able to be a part of the group that is setting the foundation for that is very important,” said Kiki Iriafen on what is the hope for the season. “They (the Coaching staff) want us to see things as bigger than basketball. I care about my teammates and that sets us up for success. Because of the fact that we care about our teammates we are going to make those extra plays and passes to set us for success and that breeds confidence.”
Probably one of the more intriguing aspects to the WNBA season is the fact that they have Developmental players on the squad. That was a huge part of the CBA that was agreed upon and now allows for the WNBA to provide more development and not taking up a roster spot.
Darianna Littlepage-Buggs is going to be the player in that spot, wearing number 5 and having gone to school at Baylor.
Littlepage-Buggs is a double-double machine as she was able to average 11.3 rebounds and 9.1 rebounds in her time in College. Darianna is in the University history books as her 44 career double-doubles are 5th most in the history of the program.
The Guard/Forward was selected 30th overall in the 2026 WNBA Draft by the team in the Second Round and hopes to show the Washington D.C. area her ability to both shoot and grab rebounds this season.
Cassandra Prosper is another player to watch for on the roster as she is going to bring versatility as a forward with the team.
Prosper getting drafted with the 19th overall pick, made a bit of history in becoming the first Quebec born player to be drafted by the WNBA.
In her time with the University of Notre Dame, Cassandra averaged 13.6 points, 6.5 rebounds, 1.6 steals and 1.1 blocks per game.
As the team now prepares for training camp, and the upcoming season for sure it is going to be an exciting time for the fans and followers of the Washington Mystics.
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