The Washington Mystics’ rebuild shifted into high gear on Monday as the new-look franchise added three players in the first round of the WNBA draft, with new general manager Jamila Wideman drawing rave reviews.
Thanks to a combination of trades and back-to-back losing seasons, the Mystics had half of the first six selections in Monday’s draft. They added Notre Dame guard Sonia Citron, USC forward Kiki Iriafen and Kentucky guard Georgia Amoore.
The haul, which also included guards Lucy Olsen of Iowa and Zaay Green of Alabama in the second and third rounds, received an A- grade from analysts at ESPN. Similar praise poured in with reviews from CBS Sports, Bleacher Report and SB Nation.
“The Washington Mystics went from an organization plagued with questions and uncertainty to one of the biggest winners of draft night,” Bleacher Report’s staff wrote. “And the best news yet? The opportunity to build around these rookies makes this a prospect’s dream to be able to compete and secure a spot in year one.”
Citron looks like the gem of the class as the No. 3 overall pick. The versatile wing has the size to defend almost any position and joins a legion of Notre Dame guards in the WNBA, including All-Stars Arike Ogunbowale and Jackie Young.
Citron’s floor is about as high as that of Iriafen, who carried the Trojans’ frontcourt this past season by averaging 18 points per game.
Amoore could have an immediate starting role for the guard-deficient Mystics. Wideman traded away guards Ariel Atkins and Karlie Samuelson in exchange for draft picks, opening spots in Washington’s backcourt rotation.
“The top three here, of course, are the most likely to make an impact for a new-look Mystics franchise,” ESPN’s Michael Voepel wrote in a grade breakdown. “But Washington’s depth impressed, too.”
Olsen and Green, who both flashed scoring ability in college, will likely have a chance to compete alongside Amoore for a spot in the lineup.
The Mystics open the regular season at home against the Atlanta Dream on May 16.
• Liam Griffin can be reached at lgriffin@washingtontimes.com.
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