Posts by Jenn Hatfield

Jenn Hatfield has been a contributor to The Next since December 2018 and is currently the site's managing editor, Washington Mystics beat reporter and Ivy League beat reporter. Her work has also appeared at FiveThirtyEight, Her Hoop Stats, FanSided, Power Plays and Princeton Alumni Weekly.

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins looks to her right, her body facing the camera, as she watches action on the court at practice.

The many faces of Ariel Atkins

September 19, 2023

How the Washington Mystics mainstay got fitted for her mask

Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen gathers the ball on the left side of her body as she attacks down the lane. New York Liberty forward Jonquel Jones moves laterally to try to recover.

After long recovery from knee surgery, Washington’s Myisha Hines-Allen finds her ‘sweet spot’ in playoffs

September 16, 2023

Hines-Allen scored an efficient 21 points in the Mystics’ Game 1 loss on Friday

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes side shuffles to high five a line of teammates before a game.Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes side shuffles to high five a line of teammates before a game.

Washington Mystics are excited, confident about ‘ideal’ playoff matchup with New York Liberty

September 14, 2023

Mystics know they’re better than their record — and they intend to prove it against a superteam

Washington Mystics guard Natasha Cloud dribbles the ball with her right hand on the perimeter. She has her eyes up looking for options.

Peak point guard: How Natasha Cloud set the Mystics’ single-game assists record

September 9, 2023

‘It’s really, really clutch to just have somebody like her’

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne and guard Brittney Sykes lock eyes and shout. Guard Natasha Cloud pats Delle Donne on the chest.

What clinching a playoff berth means to injury-plagued Washington Mystics

September 8, 2023

‘This has been a storm of a season’

A close-up, side-angle photo of Washington Mystics guard Kristi Toliver watching a game in street clothes.

Kristi Toliver hurts knee, Mystics ‘not expecting good news’ on diagnosis

September 4, 2023

Toliver had played just 10 minutes since returning from plantar fasciitis

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes extends her right arm to steal a lateral pass from a Connecticut Sun player.

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes is chasing 100 steals — and WNBA history

September 2, 2023

Sykes, the two-time reigning steals champion, has been even more dangerous defensively this season

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne runs downcourt. She is looking to her right and smiling broadly.

With Elena Delle Donne’s return, Washington Mystics find joy and focus

August 27, 2023

‘To have the whole group out there felt so good, and I think you could just see it’

Washington Mystics center/forward Shakira Austin reaches with her right hand to contest a left-handed layup by New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot.

How the Washington Mystics are evolving late in the season as stars get healthy

August 26, 2023

Mystics race to recapture on-court chemistry as clock ticks down to playoffs

Washington Mystics general manager Mike Thibault, Thomas Penson Jr. and Thomas Penson stand beside a framed jersey honoring Nikki McCray-Penson, the Pensons' late mother and wife.

‘A wonderful thing to witness’: Washington Mystics induct the late Nikki McCray-Penson into Hall of Fame

August 22, 2023

Former teammates paid tribute to McCray-Penson as current players absorbed a piece of Mystics history