The three Washington Mystics players were in Phoenix last week to get their names in the ring for a potential spot in future 3X3 World Cups, and possibly the 2028 Olympics.
Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin and guard Emily Engstler participated in USA Basketball’s 3X3 Women’s National Team Development Camp this past weekend in Phoenix.
Austin is the most accomplished 5X5 player at the FIBA level of the Mystics players who participated, and she was arguably the most accomplished player overall. Austin was part of the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup team that won the Gold Medal.
Engstler has participated in numerous 3X3 teams for the United States, including for the 2022 3X3 U23 World Cup where she won a Gold Medal. She was also part of the U18 National Championships in 2017 and 2018.
Sykes played on the FIBA Women’s AmeriCup team in 2019 which won the Gold Medal. She was playing for the Atlanta Dream at the time, but the tournament was held in September of that year, during the WNBA Playoffs. The Dream missed the playoffs that season.
The purpose of the camp was the identify interested players who could represent the United States in future 3X3 World Cups and eventually, the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. The Americans are guaranteed to play in the latter because they are hosting the event. Also, the Americans are looking to improve on a bronze medal finish from the 2024 Olympics.
Here are some photos of the camp:
Sport Court Slim went crazy at camp @BrittBundlez x #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/zgLhsIEuba
— USA Basketball 3×3 (@usab3x3) November 11, 2024
Looking good in red, white, and blue #3x3WNT camp is underway in Phoenix pic.twitter.com/PLtMzUwkAo
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) November 10, 2024
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