If there’s someone who has honestly put in the hard work to get into the W, then it has to be Sonia Citron. She started grinding for it from the very beginning, and as they say, hard work pays off—it really did. When she went from freshman to sophomore, her field goal percentage jumped significantly, from 50% to 56.9%. “Honestly, it happened super, super fast,” Mabrey shared. “But she works. She’s in the gym. She works on her game, and she’s very, very efficient at what she’s doing.” And guess what? When she got into the W, she was more than prepared. Her stats, her attitude, her playstyle—everything was on point. That’s why she was picked No. 3 overall. But things aren’t going to be easy for her. Just ask Rachael DeAmita.

Coming off a turbulent 2024 WNBA season, the Mystics finished with a 14–26 record, narrowly missing the playoffs by just one spot. And it all began with a disastrous 0–12 start to the campaign, mostly due to injuries to key players like Brittney Sykes and Shakira Austin. Despite a resilient 6-4 finish, the Mystics had recorded their worst season in over a decade. You know what that meant.

Off the court, the franchise saw significant changes. Longtime GM Mike Thibault and head coach Eric Thibault mutually parted ways with the organization after the season wrapped. They were succeeded by Jamila Wideman as GM and Sydney Johnson as head coach, signaling a new era for the franchise. That was when Citron entered the scene, as one of the major wins for the Mystics’ rebuilding roster. But entering a rebuild under fresh leadership? It’s never as easy as it looks. Rachael DeAmita made that clear in a recent episode of her YouTube show.

“Like, I’m actually a fan of the Washington Mystics for the young players that they picked up,” DeAmita said. “I’m excited to see Georgia Amoore. I’m excited to see Sonia Citron. I’m excited to see Lucy Olsen… And I think they have some exciting players, but I just think this year with their roster, with what they have going on—it’s going to be a rocky road.”

And she’s right. Apart from Citron, the Mystics also welcomed four fresh faces from the draft: Kiki Iriafen, Georgia Amoore, Lucy Olsen, and Zaay Green. Notably, Olsen is the same Caitlin Clark successor brought to Iowa’s program to fill in the void left by Caitlin Clark. And honestly, she’s got the ability too.

Averaging 23.3 points per game, she ranks third nationally behind only Juju Watkins and Clark herself. But according to DeAmita, Olsen’s success at the professional level depends on her adaptability and the opportunities provided by her team. She also emphasized that Olsen’s performance in training camps and preseason would be critical in determining her role. And that makes more sense considering Mystics are already going through struggles. According to Bleacher Report’s preseason ranking, place Mystics are placed near the bottom of the league, citing a lack of significant acquisitions and the departure of key players.

If their rankings were given in 2019, it would have been a joke. In case you’re unaware, the Mystics were at their peak during their 2019 championship, but it was in the later years that they saw a decline due to roster changes and injuries. While they’ve improved a bit, it’s still not enough. Notably, only four players on the roster are over the age of 25, leaving the door wide open for rookies to step in and make an impact. But here’s the kicker: the Mystics might have youth, but that’s not enough to go toe-to-toe with the veterans of the W.

Remember Caitlin Clark when she was new to the league? She was heavily criticized early on before she adjusted to the physicality—and then she started breaking records. So, these rookies might need time too. Chances are, many of them will start on the bench. According to projections, the Mystics’ new look could feature Shakira Austin, Emily Engstler, Taylor Soule, Aaliyah Edwards, and Sug Sutton.

“I do not see any of these teams making the playoffs. And now let’s talk about the teams that are on the playoff bubble. For me, these (including the Mystics) are the teams that I think might sneak into the playoffs,” DeAmita added. Let’s not forget, the competition is tougher than ever. Now Clark is in her second year and has become a significant threat. Averaging 19 assists per game, the 2024 Rookie of the Year is a powerhouse. And she’s not the only one. So, quite evidently, it’s going to be hard for the Mystics’ new-look squad. But the GM isn’t worried.

Washington Mystics’ new GM isn’t following the flock!

It’s a fresh start in D.C., and it comes at a pivotal moment. The Mystics last made the playoffs in 2023 but were knocked out in the first round. In fact, each of their three postseason appearances since winning the title in 2019 has ended early. But despite that recent history, chasing a championship isn’t necessarily GM Jamila Wideman’s top priority this year.

The Mystics’ GM, Wideman, never sugarcoated the team’s reality. “I think what we’re excited about is to build,” she said during a recent episode of No Offseason: The Athletic Women’s Basketball Show. On a league-wide stage where everyone’s gunning for a title, she’s choosing a different route.

“I think we have some really great talent on our team. I think we’re really conscious that we’re probably not going to contend for a championship next year. But what we are going to do is put a game on the court that is really, really dynamic and fun. And we’re going to be really, really competitive.”

If it came from someone else, those might have just sounded like another rebuild pitch. But coming from Wideman? It holds weight. Especially since she’s no stranger to the W. She brings a lot of experience as a player, law practitioner, coach, and general manager to the table. And she’s not alone.

Head coach Sydney Johnson shares the same vision and is set on making it a reality. In fact, the draft was planned with that exact vision. “The Mystics needed guards entering the draft. They had just three on the roster,” Jenn Hatfield explained. “They picked up four in the draft, plus Aria Fenn, who’s a forward and will add to the depth they already have there.” Well, that’s not all.

Apart from youth, the Mystics roster boasts a strong blend of seasoned vets who bring invaluable leadership and experience to the team. Stefanie Dolson, a 33-year-old center entering her 11th season, is known for her defensive prowess and leadership both on and off the court.

Accompanying her is Brittney Sykes, a dynamic 31-year-old guard in her 8th season. She brings scoring and versatility, having averaged 15.9 points, 3.8 assists, and 5.0 rebounds per game in the previous season. Even Karlie Samuelson, 29, is a reliable shooter who adds depth to the backcourt, while Sug Sutton, 26, enters her 3rd season with a reputation for providing versatility and playmaking abilities in the guard position.

So, there’s no doubt, these vets are poised to guide the younger players, contributing significantly to the team’s performance in the 2025 season and helping to shape the future of the Mystics. What do you think? Are the Mystics ready to shake things up?