Washington Mystics Roster 2025: Full Breakdown of the Team

The Washington Mystics are turning the page on a new chapter as they head into the 2025 WNBA season. After a tough year that left fans and players alike hungry for change, the Washington Mystics roster looks dramatically different – and that's exactly what this team needed. Gone are some familiar faces who helped define the franchise for years, but in their place comes a fresh wave of talent that has the organization buzzing with excitement.
What makes this transformation so compelling isn't just the new names on the jerseys. It's the philosophy behind the moves. The Mystics aren't just swapping players – they're reimagining how they want to play basketball. Defense isn't just a talking point anymore; it's becoming the foundation. Ball movement that was once sporadic is now a focal point in practice every single day.
The most refreshing aspect of this year's Washington Mystics roster might be the energy radiating from the younger players. These aren't just rookies trying to find their footing – they're hungry competitors who view this as their moment to shine. Meanwhile, the veterans who remain have embraced their new role as mentors, understanding that their leadership could be the difference between another rebuilding year and genuine playoff contention.
Sure, expectations might be tempered compared to the championship dreams of seasons past, but there's something electric about a team with nothing to lose and everything to prove.

Washington Mystics Roster 2025

Walking into the Washington Mystics' practice facility this year feels different. There's a youthful energy that wasn't there before – the kind that comes when a franchise decides it's time to bet on tomorrow rather than cling to yesterday. The 2025 Washington Mystics roster tells the story of an organization that looked in the mirror after a disappointing season and made some tough but necessary decisions.
Gone are the days when this team relied heavily on aging stars to carry the load. Instead, the Mystics have embraced something that takes real courage in professional sports: patience. They're building something from the ground up, mixing hungry rookies with battle-tested veterans who understand what it takes to win at this level.
Players like Aaliyah Edwards and Georgia Amoore aren't just names on a depth chart – they're the faces of Washington's future. Edwards brings that rare combination of size and athleticism that makes coaches dream about defensive schemes, while Amoore's court vision has already caught the attention of teammates who've been in this league for years. Veterans like Brittney Sykes and Stefanie Dolson provide the steady leadership that young teams desperately need, offering guidance without stifling the natural enthusiasm that comes with being young and talented.
The front office hasn't been shy about their vision either. They want a team that suffocates opponents defensively, pushes the pace when opportunities arise, and controls the glass on both ends. It might take time, but the foundation looks solid.

Washington Mystics Key Players

The Washington Mystics have found their heartbeat in an unlikely trio that perfectly captures what this franchise is all about in 2025. It's not just about talent – it's about hunger, leadership, and the kind of chemistry that can't be taught in practice.
Kiki Iriafen stepped off the USC campus and into the WNBA like she'd been waiting for this moment her entire life. Watching her attack the boards is something special – she doesn't just grab rebounds, she hunts them down with a ferocity that gets teammates fired up. When Kiki crashes the glass, you can feel the energy shift in the arena. She's not the tallest player on the court, but her motor never stops running, and that relentless approach to the dirty work has earned her respect from veterans who've seen it all.
Sonia Citron brings a different kind of magic to the floor. The Notre Dame product has this natural feel for the game that coaches love – she sees plays developing before they happen and has the skills to capitalize. What stands out isn't just her smooth shooting stroke or her ability to create in transition. It's her composure. For a rookie, she plays with the confidence of someone who's been in big moments before.
Then there's Brittney Sykes, the veteran who's playing some of the best basketball of her career. She's become the voice this young team needed, the player who can settle nerves with a clutch shot or fire everyone up with a steal and fast-break dunk. Together, these three represent everything the Mystics hope to become.

#1: Brittney Sykes (19.6 Points)

There's something different about Brittney Sykes this season – you can see it in the way she carries herself on the court, the way her teammates look to her in crucial moments, and especially in the way opposing coaches game plan specifically to stop her. This isn't the same player who made her name purely as a defensive stopper. This is a complete basketball player having the best year of her career.
When Sykes drops 19.6 points, 4.8 assists, and 4.0 rebounds per game, those aren't just numbers – they represent a player who's finally putting all the pieces together. She's always had the athleticism and the defensive instincts that earned her All-Defensive team honors multiple times. But now? Now she's become the offensive catalyst Washington has been searching for.
Ask anyone who watched her demolish Chicago for 32 points or tear apart Connecticut for 28, and they'll tell you the same thing: this doesn't feel like a fluke. Sykes is playing with a confidence and rhythm that suggests she's found another gear entirely. The way she attacks the rim with that explosive first step, pulls up for clutch threes when the defense sags off, and then immediately turns around to create opportunities for teammates – it's the kind of two-way impact that changes games.
But perhaps what's most impressive is how naturally she's slipped into the mentor role. Watching her work with players like Sonia Citron and Kiki Iriafen, you see someone who understands that individual success means nothing without team growth. She's not just leading by example anymore – she's actively building the next generation of Mystics stars.

#2: Sonia Citron (14.2 Points)

When the Washington Mystics called Sonia Citron's name as the No. 3 overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, they weren't just selecting a talented college player – they were betting on a competitor who'd been proving doubters wrong her entire basketball career. Standing at 6'1" with the kind of motor that coaches dream about, Citron has wasted no time showing why she was among the most sought-after Washington Mystics draft picks in recent memory.
What jumps out isn't just her impressive rookie numbers – 14.2 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per game – it's how she gets them. Citron plays with a maturity that belies her rookie status, never forcing shots or trying to do too much. When she exploded for 27 points and 11 rebounds against Dallas, hitting four three-pointers in the process, it felt less like a breakout game and more like a glimpse of her true potential.
The Notre Dame product brings something special to the mix of Washington Mystics players. While some rookies struggle with the physicality and pace of professional basketball, Citron seems to thrive in those moments when the game gets intense. Her quick hands on defense and smart positioning show a basketball IQ that can't be taught, only refined.
What's really exciting for Mystics fans is watching how comfortable she's become in clutch situations. Those high-pressure moments that break some young players? Citron embraces them. She's not just contributing to the rebuild – she's helping accelerate it with every confident shot and defensive stop.

#3: Kiki Iriafen (13.3 Points)

Watching Kiki Iriafen work in the paint is like witnessing a master craftsman at their trade. The USC product doesn't just play basketball – she attacks it with a relentless passion that's impossible to ignore. At 6'3", she's not the biggest player on the court, but her heart might be the largest in the entire WNBA.
Since arriving in Washington as the fourth overall pick, Iriafen has redefined what hustle looks like for this young Mystics squad. Her 13.3 points and 8.8 rebounds per game only scratch the surface of her contributions. When she grabbed 11 rebounds against Minnesota, it wasn't just about the numbers – it was about the statement she made every time she crashed the boards with reckless abandon.
The game against Dallas perfectly showcased her evolving skill set. Nineteen points and six assists from a player who was supposed to be just a bruising inside presence? That performance announced to the league that Iriafen isn't content being labeled as one-dimensional. She's developing court vision and playmaking instincts that weren't necessarily expected from her college tape.
Her approach to defense tells you everything about her character. While other rookies might shy away from contact or avoid challenging veteran players, Iriafen welcomes the collision. She contests every shot with genuine conviction, understanding that her willingness to sacrifice her body sets the tone for her teammates.
Sure, the three-point range isn't part of her repertoire yet, but who cares? Iriafen brings something more valuable – an uncompromising commitment to doing whatever it takes to win basketball games.

Washington Mystics Draft Picks 2025

The 2025 WNBA Draft felt like Christmas morning for Washington Mystics fans who had been waiting years for this kind of excitement. Armed with five picks, the franchise wasn't just shopping for immediate contributors – they were investing in a complete cultural transformation that would define the next decade of basketball in the nation's capital.
When Sonia Citron's name was called at No. 3, you could feel the energy shift in the room. The Notre Dame standout wasn't just another talented college player entering the league – she was the kind of competitor who could change the entire trajectory of a rebuilding franchise. Her ability to stay calm when games get chaotic and create scoring opportunities out of thin air made her an obvious choice to anchor the backcourt.
The very next pick brought Kiki Iriafen into the fold, and suddenly Washington had a frontcourt enforcer who plays like every possession matters. The USC product doesn't just rebound – she attacks the glass with a ferocity that gets crowds on their feet. Her selection at No. 4 signaled that this wasn't going to be a finesse-focused rebuild.
Georgia Amoore's arrival at No. 6 added another layer of intelligence to the backcourt. The Kentucky guard brings the kind of floor leadership that coaches can't teach, along with the speed to create havoc in transition. Her basketball IQ immediately caught the attention of veteran teammates during summer workouts.
Lucy Olsen's second-round selection (No. 23) filled a specific need – pure shooting ability that stretches defenses and creates space for others to operate. The Iowa product's range gives Washington a weapon they can deploy in crucial moments.
While Zaay Green (No. 31) didn't survive final cuts, her selection showed the organization's commitment to leaving no stone unturned in their talent search.

Sonia Citron (Guard)

With the No. 3 overall pick, the Washington Mystics selected Sonia Citron, a smooth and versatile guard out of Notre Dame. The decision to draft Citron was likely rooted in her ability to impact the game on both ends of the floor. She’s a polished scorer who reads defenses well, knocks down perimeter shots, and can finish at the rim with finesse. What separates her even more is her basketball IQ and calm under pressure, qualities that suggest she's WNBA-ready. With the Mystics in a transitional phase, Citron offers both immediate impact and long-term upside. Her playmaking skills, court vision, and size for the guard position (6’1”) make her a natural fit in Washington’s backcourt alongside veterans or other young talents. Citron can space the floor, guard multiple positions, and provide leadership even as a rookie. The Mystics likely viewed her as a foundational piece in building their next era.

Kiki Iriafen (Forward)

Sometimes you know a player is special just by watching how they approach the game, and that's exactly what happened when Washington called Kiki Iriafen's name at No. 4. The USC product doesn't just play basketball – she attacks every possession like her life depends on it, bringing an infectious energy that's impossible to ignore.
What makes Iriafen so compelling isn't just her 6'3" frame or her impressive athleticism – it's her relentless pursuit of every loose ball, every rebound, every opportunity to make a winning play. She's the kind of player who dives into the stands for a ball that's clearly going out of bounds, not because she has to, but because that's just who she is. That motor simply doesn't have an off switch.
College coaches used to joke that Iriafen treated every practice like it was the championship game, and that mentality translates perfectly to the professional level. She might not fit the traditional mold of a towering post player, but her combination of speed, strength, and pure determination makes her a nightmare matchup for opponents who expect conventional play styles.
The vision of pairing her with Shakira Austin in the frontcourt has coaches and fans equally excited. Two athletic, mobile forwards who can run the floor, defend multiple positions, and create chaos on the offensive glass? That's the kind of dynamic duo that can change how teams approach game planning against Washington.
Her defensive instincts are already sharp, and if she develops that midrange jumper everyone's talking about, watch out.

Georgia Amoore (Guard)

When Georgia Amoore stepped onto Kentucky's campus for her final college season, she didn't just bring her basketball skills – she brought the kind of leadership presence that immediately makes teammates better. That's exactly what caught Washington's attention when they made her the No. 6 pick in a draft loaded with backcourt talent.
Watching Amoore run an offense is like watching a conductor lead an orchestra. She doesn't just see the court – she anticipates how plays will develop three passes ahead. Her decision-making in transition is particularly impressive, always seeming to know when to push the tempo and when to pull back and set up the half-court offense. It's the kind of basketball intelligence that can't be taught, only refined.
What really sets her apart is how she makes everyone around her more comfortable. Young players gravitate toward her because she creates easy scoring opportunities, while veterans respect her because she never tries to do too much. She's perfectly content letting others get the glory as long as the team wins, which is exactly the kind of selfless approach this rebuilding Mystics squad needs.
Don't sleep on her defensive impact either. Amoore uses her quickness and court awareness to turn steals into fast-break opportunities, constantly putting pressure on opposing ball handlers. She's not the flashiest player in the draft class, but she might be one of the smartest.
For a franchise looking to establish a new identity built on teamwork and intelligence, Amoore represents the kind of foundational piece that championship teams are built around.

Lucy Olsen (Guard)

Sometimes the best value in any draft comes from finding a player who knows exactly what they bring to the table, and Lucy Olsen fits that description perfectly. When Washington called her name at No. 23, they weren't just adding another guard to the roster – they were investing in the kind of pure shooter that can change the complexion of an entire game with a few quick buckets.
Olsen spent her time at Iowa perfecting one of the most reliable jump shots in college basketball, and that confidence translates beautifully to the professional level. She's not the type of player who needs ten touches to get going – give her a clean look from beyond the arc, and she's pulling the trigger without hesitation. That fearless approach to shooting is exactly what second units need to maintain offensive momentum.
What makes her particularly valuable for this young Mystics team is her ability to complement the driving styles of players like Sonia Citron. When defenses start collapsing on drives to the basket, having someone like Olsen spotted up on the perimeter creates the kind of spacing that makes everyone's job easier. She's not looking to be the primary option, but she's absolutely ready to make opponents pay for forgetting about her.
The beautiful thing about her game is its simplicity – she finds her spots, stays ready, and delivers when her number is called. In a league where bench scoring can determine playoff success, Olsen represents the kind of reliable weapon that championship teams lean on during crucial stretches.

Washington Mystics Season Expectations

The Washington Mystics enter 2025 with a clear vision and the kind of optimism that comes from knowing exactly where they're headed. After years of uncertainty about their identity, this franchise has embraced something refreshing – the opportunity to build something special while maintaining competitive fire every single night.
The injection of young talent through the draft has created an interesting dynamic in the locker room. Players like Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore aren't just learning the ropes; they're energizing veterans who remember what it felt like to be hungry young players fighting for respect. Brittney Sykes and Stefanie Dolson have naturally stepped into mentorship roles, understanding that their legacy might be defined more by what they teach than what they achieve individually.
Here's the thing about this Mystics team – they're dangerous precisely because nobody sees them coming. In a conference where every team thinks they know what to expect from Washington, this group could surprise some people. They're not going to steamroll through the regular season, but they have enough talent and chemistry to steal games from teams that take them lightly.
The playoff conversation isn't about whether they can make a deep run – it's about whether they can sneak into that seventh or eighth seed and gain valuable postseason experience. If the rookies adjust quickly to professional basketball's intensity and the veterans stay healthy, Washington could find themselves in meaningful games come September.
Even if they miss the playoffs entirely, this season represents something more valuable than immediate success – it's the foundation for sustained excellence.