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Mar
Team Profile
Washington Mystics: Five things you need to know
- First WNBA Championship in 2019
- Record-breaking 26-8 regular season in 2019
- Home to two-time WNBA MVP Elena Delle Donne
- Latest News: Read more about Aussies in the WNBA
The Washington Mystics are a WNBA franchise based in Washington, D.C., founded in 1998 and owned by Monumental Sports & Entertainment.
- Conference: Eastern
- League: WNBA
- Founded: 1998
- Arena: CareFirst Arena
- Location: Washington, D.C.
- Team colours: Red, navy blue, silver, white
- Major sponsor: GEICO
- President: Michael Winger
- General manager / basketball operations: Sydney Johnson
- Head coach: Sydney Johnson
- Assistant coaches: Jessie Miller, Emre Vatansever
- Ownership: Monumental Sports & Entertainment
- Championships: 1 – 2019
The Washington Mystics have lived almost every version of a WNBA franchise story – expansion struggles, attendance highs, rebuilds, playoff heartbreak, a superstar era and finally a championship breakthrough.
Founded in 1998, the Mystics spent years searching for stability before Mike Thibault’s arrival in 2013 helped change the direction of the franchise. Washington reached the WNBA Finals for the first time in 2018, then returned in 2019 and won its first championship behind Elena Delle Donne, Emma Meesseman, Kristi Toliver and one of the most efficient offences in league history.
The Mystics are now in a new development phase under Sydney Johnson, with a young roster shaped by recent high draft picks and an Australian connection through Georgia Amoore and Alex Wilson. Washington’s current roster lists Amoore and Wilson as Australian guards, with both part of the club’s 2026 squad.
Australian Connection
Georgia Amoore: Ballarat guard Georgia Amoore was selected by Washington with the No. 6 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft, becoming one of the highest-profile Australian guard prospects to enter the league. She arrived after a major college career at Virginia Tech and Kentucky and is part of Washington’s young backcourt.
Alex Wilson: South Australian guard Alex Wilson joined the Mystics as a rookie after a long WNBL career. Washington’s 2026 roster lists Wilson as a 5-9 guard from Australia, giving the Mystics another Australian option in camp.
Jade Melbourne" Jade Melbourne joined Washington in 2024 after being acquired from the Seattle Storm and gave the Mystics an energetic Australian guard presence. Her time in Washington connected the club directly to the Opals pathway and added another chapter to the Mystics’ Australian history. She has returned to the Storm for the 2026 WNBA season.
Leilani Mitchell: Leilani Mitchell, a dual American-Australian guard and Opals representative, played for the Mystics across multiple seasons, including 2016, 2020 and 2021.
Team History
Washington entered the WNBA in 1998 and endured a difficult start, finishing 3-27 in its debut season. The franchise built early identity around players such as Chamique Holdsclaw and Alana Beard, but consistency remained elusive.
The major turning point came with Thibault’s arrival in 2013. Washington rebuilt patiently, then made the decisive move for Elena Delle Donne in 2017. That trade accelerated the franchise into title contention, with the Mystics reaching the 2018 Finals before winning the 2019 championship.
The post-title period has been a reset. Delle Donne did not play in 2024 and later retired, while Washington moved into a younger phase built around players such as Shakira Austin, Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, Amoore and its 2026 draft class.
2026 Direction
Washington’s 2026 profile is defined by youth, development and roster competition. The Mystics selected Lauren Betts at No. 4 and Angela Dugalić at No. 9 in the 2026 WNBA Draft, adding more frontcourt size to a team already building around young talent.
Johnson is entering a pivotal period as both head coach and basketball operations lead after the Mystics parted ways with general manager Jamila Wideman in April 2026.
Five Fast Facts
- Washington won its first WNBA championship in 2019.
- Emma Meesseman was named 2019 WNBA Finals MVP.
- The Mystics reached back-to-back Finals in 2018 and 2019.
- Georgia Amoore and Alex Wilson give Washington a 2026 Australian backcourt link.
- The franchise is now rebuilding around one of the WNBA’s youngest rosters.
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