Former UConn ladies’s basketball star Aaliyah Edwards might be on the transfer halfway via the 2025 WNBA season after stories that the Washington Mystics are exploring potential commerce companions for the second-year ahead.
ESPN reported Tuesday that the Mystics have fielded calls from a number of groups a few potential commerce for Edwards, who the franchise drafted with the No. 6 choose within the 2024 WNBA Draft. She was a key contributor in her rookie season, making 17 begins and averaging 7.6 factors and 5.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per sport whereas taking pictures practically 50% from the sector. However Edwards’ enjoying time has taken a major dip this yr with the rise of rookie Kiki Iriafen and veteran Shakira Austin in Washington’s frontcourt.
Edwards appeared poised to take a leap in 2025 after a formidable offseason in Unmatched, however she was sidelined for many of Washington’s coaching camp by a lower-back damage that additionally stored her out of the group’s first 4 video games. Since returning, the ahead is averaging 4.9 factors plus 3.3 rebounds and taking pictures beneath 40% from the sector in 14 minutes per sport off the bench. Edwards instructed the Washington Submit after observe Tuesday that she wasn’t conscious of the commerce rumors.
“I’m simply making an attempt to remain current within the second, give attention to the group, give attention to what you could get performed for (the following sport) Thursday,” Edwards mentioned. “I’m probably not wanting an excessive amount of into what’s being mentioned on-line. My focus is right here with the group, the place my ft are and displaying up and displaying up for DC each night time.”
The Mystics overhauled their management after the 2024 season, firing head coach Eric Thibault and basic supervisor Mike Thibault, they usually picked up a trio of first-round draft picks to assist spark the brand new period.
Iriafen, the No. 4 choose in 2025, has been a breakout star averaging 12.9 factors and eight.4 factors in 27 minutes per sport, and No. 3 choose Sonia Citron has additionally been an prompt contributor within the backcourt averaging 15.1 factors, 5 boards, 2.1 assists and 1.2 steals in 33 minutes.
Austin has been with the Mystics since 2022 however missed most of final season because of hip and ankle accidents. She has seemed like the most effective model of herself since returnig to the courtroom this yr, averaging a career-high 12.1 factors and 6.4 rebounds via her first 14 appearances. She was named the Jap Convention Participant of the Week on June 24 and is averaging 18 factors plus 8.3 rebounds over six video games within the beginning lineup.
First-year Mystics coach Sydney Johnson instructed the Submit he had no touch upon a attainable commerce for Edwards, however mentioned he has had conversations with the sophomore about methods she will step up her sport to get extra concerned.
“She is aware of precisely what we wish from her and what I imagine in her for our group, and that’s not associated to something tradewise,” Johnson mentioned. “She’s terrific at getting us second alternatives. Her offensive rebounding is de facto good and defensive rebounding is excellent. We wish her to be wonderful when it comes to our defensive schemes. Her shot choice, I’ve talked to her about that when it comes to like, these elbow photographs are nice, however I actually need us to attempt to stretch her similar to our different frontcourt gamers out to the 3-point line.”
