Lucy Olsen could be the latest second-round pick to find herself on an Opening Day WNBA roster. Olsen, who spent the first three years of her college career at Villanova before transferring to Iowa for her senior season, was selected by the Washington Mystics with the 23rd overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft.
And, earlier this week at training camp, Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson said he was impressed by Olsen’s play, per Monumental Sports Network’s Tyler Byrum.
“Lucy, that midrange, I don’t know man,” Johnson said. “Somehow she can get to that thing.”
Which young players have stood out at Mystics training camp?
Sydney Johnson’s first response was Lucy Olsen.
“…that midrange, I don’t know man. Somehow she can get to that thing.” pic.twitter.com/xKnmzKwJMY
— Tyler Byrum (@theTylerByrum) April 29, 2025
“She doesn’t blow you away with her athleticism, but when she gets to that midrange, no matter what’s going on, she gets to it.”
Olsen averaged 17.9 points per game at Iowa, shooting 43.6% from the field and 36% from three. The 5’10 Pennsylvania native earned First-Team All-Big Ten honors. Now, she’s one of a handful of players competing for a final roster spot in Washington.
The Mystics’ training camp roster currently includes 17 players
Of those, 12 players can make the final roster, though WNBA teams frequently only carry 11 for cost-saving reasons. That means that six players are likely to be cut.
As it currently stands, 3 players are on fully guaranteed contracts.
Shakira Austin (protected rookie contract)
Brittney Sykes (protected veteran contract)
Stef Dolson (protected veteran contract)
In addition, 7 players seem very likely to make the final roster.
Sug Sutton (returner on a training camp deal)
Emily Engslter (returner on a training camp deal)
Sonia Citron, who was drafted No. 3 overall in 2025
Jade Melbourne (returner on an unprotected deal)
Aaliyah Edwards, who was drafted No. 6 overall in 2024
Kiki Iriafen, who was drafted No. 4 overall in 2025
Sika Kone (returner on an unprotected deal)
Austin, Sutton, Sykes, Melbourne, Edwards, and Dolson are all returners, while Iriafen and Citron were the Mystics’ first-round picks. It’s unlikely the Mystics will cut one of their top draft selections or a returning player who contributed last season.
In addition, Georgia Amoore seems to be a part of the team’s future, but will miss this season due to injury. With Amoore done for the year, the Mystics need additional guards — and Olsen can fill in as a playmaker and ball-handler.
Along with Olsen, 5 players appear to be battling for Mystic roster spots
Those players are:
Jojo Lacey, a Rutgers standout forward
Ashten Prechtel, who was a third-round pick selected by the Connecticut Sun in 2023
Khadijiah Cave, a 30-year-old forward who has long competed for WNBA roster spots
Zaay Green, a 6’2 guard out of Alabama who was selected No. 32 overall in 2025
Morgan Jones, an undrafted guard out of Louisville
