The Michael Winger Era has now officially entered the Mystics’ side of Monumental Basketball.
The Washington Mystics’ 2025 WNBA Draft execution can simply be written by saying that they selected five new players, including three within the top six picks: Sonia Citron, Kiki Iriafen, and Georgia Amoore. Citron, a guard from Notre Dame, is lauded for her consistent shooting and defensive prowess, averaging 14.1 points and 5.4 rebounds in her senior year. Iriafen, a forward from USC, brings a strong interior presence with her 18.0 points and 8.4 rebounds per game, and potential to expand her range. Amoore, a guard from Kentucky, offers dynamic playmaking abilities, having averaged 19.6 points and 6.9 assists.
The Mystics further bolstered their roster by selecting Lucy Olsen, a versatile guard from Iowa, and Zaay Green, a seasoned 6’2” guard from Alabama, in the later rounds. Olsen led Iowa with 17.9 points per game, while Green’s extensive collegiate experience adds maturity and adaptability to the team.
But given that this site also covers the Washington Wizards, what the Mystics did, especially by selecting and keeping three first round picks, all in the Top 6, isn’t too different from what the Wizards did last year. Both the Mystics and Wizards’ strategies are led by Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger, while the Mystics’ General Manager is Jamila Wideman and her Wizards counterpart is Will Dawkins.
So what did the Wizards do again?
The Wizards’ 2024 NBA Draft also involved the team selecting and keeping multiple first round picks, where they selected Alex Sarr, Bub Carrington, and Kyshawn George. Sarr, a promising center, Carrington, a dynamic guard, and George, a versatile wing, were all given significant playing time, reflecting Winger’s commitment to developing young talent through experience. The Wizards’ approach resulted in a record-setting season for rookie minutes, indicating a clear investment in the future.
Winger’s influence on both franchises signifies a deliberate shift towards rebuilding through the draft, focusing on acquiring high-upside players and providing them with opportunities to grow. It’s unclear if the Mystics, or the Wizards, will be able to develop into long term winners. That is another article for another day. Also, the Mystics’ draft strategy showed fans that Winger is ready to take an active approach with the Mystics unlike the past two seasons, when he let then-General Manager Mike Thibault run the show. With Thibault parting ways with Winger, and now moving onto become the Head Coach of the Belgium women’s national basketball team, Winger is making his mark known on the Mystics too.
Do you think that the Mystics and Wizards’ strategies will pan out long term? Let us know in the comments below.