| Nikki McCray |
Starter/Star |
33.4 |
High |
17.7 |
2.9 |
3.1 |
1.6 |
66.53 |
Washington built its inaugural offense around McCray’s ability to create off the dribble and carry a heavy scoring load. Season coverage consistently described her as the franchise cornerstone, often facing aggressive defensive attention while also serving as the team’s emotional leader during an expansion season. (Wikipedia) |
WNBA All-Star (1998), All-WNBA Second Team (1998) |
| Alessandra Santos de Oliveira |
Starter/Star |
30.1 |
Medium |
11.0 |
8.1 |
0.1 |
1.2 |
49.25 |
Oliveira gave the Mystics a true interior target, using her size to establish position around the basket rather than stretching the floor. Contemporary reporting noted she adapted quickly from European basketball and became Washington’s primary rebounder despite joining an expansion roster. (Wikipedia) |
WNBA All-Rookie Team (1998) |
| Murriel Page |
Starter/Star |
31.8 |
Medium |
8.3 |
6.9 |
1.3 |
1.0 |
42.11 |
Page settled into a steady frontcourt role built on rebounding, screening and efficient finishing. Coaches frequently praised the rookie’s composure, and local coverage highlighted her willingness to handle physical defensive assignments despite entering the league straight from Florida. (Wikipedia) |
WNBA All-Rookie Team (1998) |
| Penny Moore |
Starter/Star |
26.1 |
Medium |
8.2 |
3.7 |
1.6 |
2.2 |
37.51 |
Moore filled multiple roles on the wing, alternating between secondary scorer and perimeter defender depending on matchups. Even though her shot came and went, Washington continued trusting her to defend opposing scorers while providing spacing from outside. (Wikipedia) |
None |
| Rita Williams |
Key Contributor |
23.7 |
Medium |
4.4 |
2.3 |
2.3 |
2.2 |
25.18 |
Williams injected speed into the backcourt whenever the Mystics wanted to pressure the ball. Her aggressive defensive style stood out immediately, and observers often viewed her as a young guard whose confidence exceeded typical rookie expectations. |
WNBA All-Rookie Team (1998) |
| Heidi Burge |
Key Contributor |
16.7 |
Medium |
6.7 |
3.3 |
0.9 |
1.0 |
27.03 |
Burge provided reliable interior depth, bringing size and efficient finishing in shorter stretches. Independent season coverage frequently mentioned her value as an experienced post presence who stabilized the second unit during Washington’s first campaign. |
None |
| Deborah Carter |
Bench |
15.0 |
Low |
3.8 |
2.2 |
0.8 |
0.7 |
15.00 |
Carter worked primarily as a reserve swing player, filling defensive assignments across multiple positions. Contemporary independent reporting was limited, though available coverage reflected a role centered on versatility rather than offensive creation. |
None |
| Adrienne Shuler |
Bench |
14.5 |
Low |
3.6 |
2.1 |
1.9 |
1.0 |
17.20 |
Shuler handled backup point guard duties with an emphasis on ball movement and defensive energy. Contemporary reporting was limited, but coaches valued her ability to organize the offense without dominating possessions. |
None |
| Keri Chaconas |
Bench |
13.2 |
Low |
4.8 |
0.8 |
1.3 |
0.4 |
14.60 |
Chaconas entered games looking for perimeter shots and quick offensive bursts. Independent coverage was sparse, reflecting a reserve role in which floor spacing was her primary responsibility. |
None |
| La’Shawn Brown |
Bench |
12.4 |
Low |
2.0 |
2.4 |
0.4 |
1.4 |
12.40 |
Brown supplied physical frontcourt minutes off the bench, using her strength to defend bigger post players. Contemporary independent reporting was limited because her role remained situational throughout the season. |
None |
| Margo Graham |
Bench |
5.4 |
Low |
2.0 |
1.4 |
0.1 |
0.2 |
7.40 |
Graham joined the rotation late in the year as frontcourt depth. Available independent reporting was limited, with most discussion focusing on Washington’s ongoing roster adjustments during its inaugural season. |
None |
| Tammy Jackson |
Bench |
7.0 |
Low |
2.0 |
2.0 |
0.0 |
0.0 |
8.00 |
Jackson appeared briefly before being released early in the season as the expansion roster evolved. Independent reporting concentrated more on Washington’s roster turnover than her individual on-court contributions. |
None |
| Angela Jackson |
Bench |
5.1 |
Low |
1.4 |
0.6 |
0.0 |
0.4 |
4.80 |
Jackson saw limited opportunities as a rookie reserve before leaving the roster. Contemporary independent coverage was minimal, reflecting her short stay with the club. |
None |
| Leila Sobral |
Bench |
4.7 |
Low |
1.7 |
0.7 |
0.4 |
0.4 |
6.40 |
Sobral played sparingly while adjusting to the WNBA game. Available independent reporting described her mainly as developmental depth during Washington’s expansion season. |
None |
| Leslie Johnson |
Bench |
2.5 |
Low |
0.3 |
0.2 |
0.2 |
0.0 |
1.40 |
Johnson’s appearances came in very limited minutes after joining the roster late in the year. Independent contemporary coverage was scarce because she remained outside the regular rotation. |
None |
| Team Totals |
— |
275.6 |
— |
84.1 |
39.0 |
19.1 |
12.2 |
334.81 |
Washington’s inaugural season revolved around Nikki McCray’s star power while a young expansion roster searched for continuity. The Mystics leaned on defensive effort and frontcourt rebounding as they established the franchise’s identity. |
None |
