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Mystics coach loves defense, but will pick the best player available in WNBA draft Mystics coach loves defense, but will pick the best player available in WNBA draft
(about 5 hours later)
Washington Mystics Coach Mike Thibault has won more games than anyone in the history of the WNBA in part by placing a premium on defense. His teams consistently rank among the league leaders in most meaningful defensive categories; for example, the Mystics finished second in fewest points allowed last season and third in field goal percentage defense.Washington Mystics Coach Mike Thibault has won more games than anyone in the history of the WNBA in part by placing a premium on defense. His teams consistently rank among the league leaders in most meaningful defensive categories; for example, the Mystics finished second in fewest points allowed last season and third in field goal percentage defense.
The result was Washington’s third straight playoff berth — all under Thibault — for the first time in franchise history. Still, that doesn’t mean Thibault, who also serves as general manager, is necessarily averse to adding a player with limited defensive ability during Thursday night’s WNBA draft.The result was Washington’s third straight playoff berth — all under Thibault — for the first time in franchise history. Still, that doesn’t mean Thibault, who also serves as general manager, is necessarily averse to adding a player with limited defensive ability during Thursday night’s WNBA draft.
The Mystics pick seventh out of 12 in each of the draft’s three rounds.The Mystics pick seventh out of 12 in each of the draft’s three rounds.
“Draft a player who knows how to score and pass, and you can teach them to play defense,” he said.“Draft a player who knows how to score and pass, and you can teach them to play defense,” he said.
The prospect in question in this case is Rachel Banham, a 5-foot-9 guard from Minnesota who owns the Big Ten career scoring record (3,093). This past season, Banham tied an NCAA record with 60 points against Northwestern. She also scored 52 against Michigan State on the way to finishing second in Division I in points per game (28.6) last season. The prospect in question in this case is Rachel Banham, a 5-foot-9 guard from Minnesota who owns the Big Ten career scoring record with 3,093 points. This past season, Banham tied an NCAA record with 60 points in a double-overtime win against Northwestern in February. She also scored 52 against Michigan State on the way to finishing second in Division I in points per game (28.6) last season.
[New facility is a boon for the Washington Mystics][New facility is a boon for the Washington Mystics]
The Golden Gophers, however, were last in the Big Ten in scoring defense and 11th out of 14 teams in field goal percentage defense.The Golden Gophers, however, were last in the Big Ten in scoring defense and 11th out of 14 teams in field goal percentage defense.
Banham is among a handful of players Thibault has been evaluating closely in addition to South Florida’s Courtney Williams, South Carolina’s Tiffany Mitchell and Michigan State’s Aerial Powers. Also in the mix is George Washington forward-center Jonquel Jones, whose 14.6 rebounds per game led the country. Banham is among a handful of players Thibault has been evaluating closely in addition to South Florida’s Courtney Williams, South Carolina’s Tiffany Mitchell and Michigan State’s Aerial Powers. Also in the mix is George Washington forward-center Jonquel Jones, whose 14.6 rebounds per game would have led the country had she qualified with enough games played.
Jones is in line to become the first player in school history to be chosen in the first round. The native of Freeport, Bahamas, was the 2012 Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year at Riverdale Baptist High School. Jones is in line to become the first player in school history to be chosen in the first round. The native of Freeport, Bahamas, was the 2012 Washington Post All-Met Player of the Year at Riverdale Baptis t.
A dozen players, including Jones, Banham, Williams, Powers and Mitchell, are scheduled to attend the WNBA draft, which takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the home court of the Connecticut Sun, in Uncasville, Conn. Three-time national player of the year Breanna Stewart is a lock to be the No. 1 overall selection to the Seattle Storm after leading Connecticut to its fourth straight national championship.A dozen players, including Jones, Banham, Williams, Powers and Mitchell, are scheduled to attend the WNBA draft, which takes place at the Mohegan Sun Arena, the home court of the Connecticut Sun, in Uncasville, Conn. Three-time national player of the year Breanna Stewart is a lock to be the No. 1 overall selection to the Seattle Storm after leading Connecticut to its fourth straight national championship.
“There’s a lot of emotions going into it,” Jones said. “You’re a little bit overwhelmed because of all of the stuff going into it in terms of making sure your school work is done, making sure you’ve got everything prepared for the trip and just being prepared and ready for training camp as well. There’s a little bit of nerves, excitement and enthusiasm.”“There’s a lot of emotions going into it,” Jones said. “You’re a little bit overwhelmed because of all of the stuff going into it in terms of making sure your school work is done, making sure you’ve got everything prepared for the trip and just being prepared and ready for training camp as well. There’s a little bit of nerves, excitement and enthusiasm.”
Jones is a particularly enticing prospect given three-point shooting and ball-handling skills that belie her size. At 6-6, she was second on the Colonials in assists (2.3) and fourth in three-pointers made (19) despite sitting out 10 games with a nagging shoulder ailment. Jones is a particularly enticing prospect given the three-point shooting and ball-handling skills that belie her size. At 6-6, she was second on the Colonials in assists (2.3) and fourth in three-pointers made (19) despite sitting out 10 games with a nagging shoulder ailment.
That versatility presumably would allow Jones to play multiple front-court positions and thus provide Thibault with plenty of flexibility in his lineup. The only positions Thibault said he is not considering in the draft are point guard and traditional center. The Mystics are set at both of those slots, with Stefanie Dolson and Kia Vaughn in the post and Ivory Latta and Natasha Cloud as primary ballhandlers. That versatility presumably would allow Jones to play multiple front-court positions and thus provide Thibault with plenty of lineup flexibility. The only positions Thibault said he is not considering in the draft are point guard and traditional center. The Mystics are set at both of those slots, with Stefanie Dolson and Kia Vaughn in the post and Ivory Latta and Natasha Cloud as primary ballhandlers.
Washington has its most depth in years in the front court with all-star Emma Meesseman, LaToya Sanders, one of the top shot-blockers in the league, and Tianna Hawkins, who missed last season after giving birth to her first child, at power forward and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Ally Malott, the Mystics’ first-round pick last season, at small forward. Washington has its most depth in years in the front court with all-star Emma Meesseman and LaToya Sanders, one of the top shot-blockers in the league, along with Tianna Hawkins, who missed last season after giving birth to her first child, at power forward and Tierra Ruffin-Pratt and Ally Malott, the Mystics’ first-round pick last season, at small forward.
The Mystics, however, are down two experienced guards from last year in Kara Lawson and Armintie Herrington. Lawson has elected to miss at least the first part of the season while working as an analyst for ESPN, and Herrington announced her retirement in September following a nine-year career.The Mystics, however, are down two experienced guards from last year in Kara Lawson and Armintie Herrington. Lawson has elected to miss at least the first part of the season while working as an analyst for ESPN, and Herrington announced her retirement in September following a nine-year career.
“Whoever we draft doesn’t have to come in and be a savior,” Thibault said. “That’s nice if it is, but we can afford to be a little bit patient. For us, I think we have a specific need, but if I don’t love the options, then we may just take the best player.”“Whoever we draft doesn’t have to come in and be a savior,” Thibault said. “That’s nice if it is, but we can afford to be a little bit patient. For us, I think we have a specific need, but if I don’t love the options, then we may just take the best player.”