April 18, 2025
Locked On Women’s Basketball: Where the Mystics stand after the 2025 WNBA Draft
By The Next
Storylines to watch from Mystics training camp
The Washington Mystics made three of the first six picks in Monday night’s WNBA Draft, and The Next’s Mystics beat reporter and managing editor Jenn Hatfield joins host Natalie Heavren to discuss the team’s five total picks, storylines to watch for in training camp and what to expect this season. Hatfield also talks about the youth on the roster, who she expects to step up as a leader this season and more.
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During Mystics training camp and preseason, all eyes will be on how new head coach Sydney Johnson molds the team’s chemistry and handles positional depth, especially in the frontcourt. With a logjam at the post and a shortage of wings, decisions like whether Brittney Sykes remains at point guard or moves back to the wing—and what that means for players like Jade Melbourne—will be key indicators of Johnson’s vision. “I think there are a lot of fun player combinations in short,” Jenn noted, “and I’m curious to see what Sydney Johnson’s vision is for how he’s going to use them.”
On the roster-building side, there’s cautious optimism around the Mystics’ five-player draft class, each bringing unique skills to a team in transition. With only 12 roster spots available, there’s a realistic shot for four—or even all five—rookies to make the final cut, especially if Zaay Green and Lucy Olsen impress. The draft is seen as a foundational step in the franchise’s rebuild, offering versatility and promise across positions one through three. This being Jamila Wideman’s first draft as GM adds another layer of intrigue to what could be a pivotal moment in the team’s long-term trajectory.
Tune in to Locked On Women’s Basketball
Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.
