The Mystics center should be a major part of things to come in the years ahead.
On Thursday, the Washington Mystics announced that they exercised the fourth year option in center Shakira Austin.
We have exercised the fourth-year rookie option on Shakira Austin’s contract. pic.twitter.com/ARbs2lxzoL
— Washington Mystics (@WashMystics) April 25, 2024
Austin was the third pick of the 2022 WNBA Draft, where she quickly became a starter and defensive stalwart. She also played for the 2022 FIBA Women’s World Cup team for the United States where they won the gold medal.
Given that Austin is a lottery pick, this option is par for the course. It would be a bad thing if Austin or any lottery draft pick didn’t get a fourth year option. That said, Austin has had a good start for the Mystics and hopefully she will be here for a long time.