The Washington Mystics entered the 2025 season with a challenging task: to rebuild and look beyond their 2019 championship victory, which still holds a special place in fans’ hearts. Since that title, the team has only experienced one winning season, and with all the players from the championship squad gone, it’s time to focus on the future. The last three players from that era—Ariel Atkins, Brittney Sykes, and Shatri Walker-Kimbrough—have moved on, and the Mystics are charting a new course with a fresh head coach, Sidney Johnson, and three key first-round picks in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
Washington secured the 3rd, 4th, and 6th picks, selecting Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore respectively, showcasing smart draft strategy by GM Jamila Wideman. However, Amoore’s season was cut short by an ACL injury during training camp, leaving the team to rely heavily on a mix of veterans and rookies, including Sykes, Citron, Iriafen, Thug Sutton, and Steph Dolson. It was a delicate balancing act that placed much responsibility on Citron and Iriafen, who were expected to lead the team’s future.
Iriafen, who was picked fourth overall, quickly moved up the team’s pecking order, especially with Aaliyah Edwards’ delayed start to the season. While trade rumors swirled around Edwards, she was eventually traded to the Connecticut Sun in exchange for former Mystics first-round pick Jaycee Sheldon and future draft rights. Washington also traded Brittney Sykes, their sole All-Star representative at the time, receiving Alisha Clark, Gia Cook, and another first-round pick in return.
Despite not prioritizing wins in 2025, the Mystics surpassed expectations under Coach Johnson. They focused on aggressive play, getting to the free-throw line more than any other team and emphasizing post play, especially for Iriafen, who developed a strong inside game. He ranked among the league leaders in attempts within five feet of the basket and earned a spot on the All-Rookie team. Sonia Citron also impressed, leading rookies in three-point shooting percentage and ranking high in player efficiency and scoring.
Looking ahead, the Mystics see Citron and Iriafen as foundational stars, with the hope that Shakira Austin, who had a career-best season when healthy, can become their third star. Austin and Thug Sutton are restricted free agents, and the team is eager to keep them while remaining open to adding more big players through the draft. Meanwhile, despite her injury setback, Georgia Amoore is viewed as the team’s point guard of the future, showing remarkable recovery progress and earning praise from teammates as a potential superstar.
The young core of Amoore, Iriafen, and Citron is considered not just competitive with but possibly superior to other young groups in the league. Mystics fans, while nostalgic about past success, have reason to be excited as this trio and their supporting cast work to bring championship glory back to the DMV.
Fan Take: This rebuild signals an exciting new era for the Mystics and gives WNBA fans plenty of reasons to watch with anticipation. The mix of promising rookies and strategic team-building could transform Washington into a powerhouse, highlighting the growing depth and talent in the league.
