The Belgian and Castors Braine forward is viewed as a draft-and-stash who could perform in the future.
The Washington Mystics seem to have an affinity for getting Belgian talent. Emma Meesseman played seven seasons for them and was the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP. Kim Mestdagh was also on the 2019 team. Julie Vanloo is expected to be on the Mystics for training camp. And yesterday, the Mystics drafted Castors Braine forward Nastja Claessens No. 30 overall in the 2024 WNBA Draft.
While Vanloo should be on the Mystics this summer, don’t expect to see Claessens with her. On Monday night, Washington Mystics General Manager Mike Thibault told the media that Claessens will not report to training camp despite being drafted. He doesn’t envision seeing her on the team for the next year or two.
Mystics third-round pick Nastja Claessens will not come over to compete at training camp this year. Timeline is looking at a year or two before she’s with the team.
“A 6’1″ wing player that can make threes is a really nice, valuable player to have the rights to” – Thibault.
— Tyler Byrum (@theTylerByrum) April 16, 2024
Though Claessens won’t be on the Mystics this season, we will still be able to see her, Vanloo and Meesseman play for the Belgium women’s national basketball team this summer in the Olympics. Let us know your thoughts about this in the comments below.