The Washington Mystics 2010 built their success around Crystal Langhorne’s highly efficient interior scoring and rebounding, while Monique Currie and Lindsey Harding provided complementary scoring, with Harding also serving as the primary playmaker. Veteran Katie Smith added valuable perimeter shooting to balance the offense. Despite modest scoring output, Washington’s statistical profile was driven by outstanding team defense, efficient frontcourt play, and balanced contributions across the starting lineup.
Operated as Washington’s primary interior scorer, consistently sealing deep in the paint and finishing through contact rather than relying on post volume. Independent coverage throughout the season highlighted her improved conditioning and efficiency as central reasons the Mystics became a playoff team, with her breakout campaign culminating in the league’s Most Improved Player honor. (WNBA)
Most Improved Player (2009)
Monique Currie
Starter/Star (1.1)
26.2
High (1.2)
14.1
4.8
1.6
1.8
58.08
Washington leaned on Currie as an aggressive downhill wing who attacked mismatches and drew fouls at an elite rate. Season reporting frequently noted that her ability to create offense late in possessions complemented the Mystics’ frontcourt attack even when her perimeter jumper fluctuated. (Wikipedia)
None
Lindsey Harding
Starter/Star (1.1)
33.2
High (1.2)
12.1
3.0
4.0
1.6
54.91
Harding set the offensive tempo as the lead guard, pushing transition opportunities and creating early offense instead of dominating the scoring load. Analysts regularly praised her speed with the ball and her ability to organize the half-court attack despite facing heavy defensive pressure. (Wikipedia)
None
Katie Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
30.8
Medium (1.1)
9.5
2.1
2.6
0.9
36.59
Smith shifted into more of a veteran spacing and leadership role, stretching defenses with perimeter shooting while mentoring a younger roster. Coverage during the season often emphasized her professionalism and decision-making even as Washington relied less heavily on her as a primary scorer.
None
Marissa Coleman
Key Contributor (1.05)
19.5
Medium (1.1)
6.5
3.3
1.5
1.3
29.57
Coleman carved out minutes as an athletic reserve wing whose outside shooting and defensive versatility gradually earned greater trust. Her willingness to defend multiple positions and play without needing designed touches was a common theme in rookie-season evaluations. (WNBA)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009)
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor (1.05)
17.9
Low (1.0)
6.0
4.2
0.7
0.9
24.78
Sanford filled a physical frontcourt role built around rebounding, screening and interior defense rather than offensive creation. Independent reporting regularly described her as an experienced stabilizer whose toughness helped balance Washington’s younger rotation.
None
Chasity Melvin
Key Contributor (1.05)
19.4
Low (1.0)
5.2
4.7
0.7
1.2
24.78
Melvin provided dependable frontcourt depth, using strength and positioning to defend bigger posts while doing much of the team’s screening and dirty work. Writers covering the Mystics routinely pointed to her veteran presence as an important influence on the rotation.
None
Matee Ajavon
Bench (1.0)
14.6
Low (1.0)
5.9
1.6
1.4
1.2
20.20
Ajavon brought energy as a reserve combo guard, looking to pressure the ball defensively and attack open space in transition. Coverage suggested the coaching staff valued her pace and defensive activity even as her perimeter shooting remained inconsistent.
None
Jacinta Monroe
Bench (1.0)
6.9
Low (1.0)
2.1
0.9
0.2
0.8
8.00
Monroe appeared in a limited developmental role, supplying length around the rim and rebounding in short stretches. Contemporary independent coverage was limited, with most discussion centering on her long-term potential rather than immediate rotation impact.
None
Ashley Houts
Bench (1.0)
5.5
Low (1.0)
0.9
0.7
0.5
0.3
4.80
Houts saw brief reserve minutes as a rookie guard focused on ball security and defensive effort. Limited contemporary independent reporting was available, with most evaluations describing her as a developmental backcourt option.
None
Washington Mystics Totals
—
207.2
—
78.6
35.0
14.3
11.3
—
2009 regular season totals for players provided.
Most Improved Player (2009); WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009)
Washington continued to play through Langhorne on the block even against Indiana’s physical frontcourt. Although the Fever crowded the paint, postseason coverage still pointed to her interior presence and rebounding as the Mystics’ most reliable offensive foundation during the series. (WNBA)
None
Matee Ajavon
Bench (1.0)
17.5
Medium (1.1)
18.0
0.0
1.5
1.5
46.20
Ajavon changed the rhythm whenever she attacked aggressively off the bench instead of settling for jumpers. Her instant scoring punch stood out in a difficult playoff matchup, giving Washington one of its few offensive sparks against Indiana’s disciplined defense. (washingtonpost.com)
None
Lindsey Harding
Starter/Star (1.1)
33.5
High (1.2)
10.5
2.5
3.0
2.0
47.26
Harding remained responsible for initiating nearly every half-court possession despite facing constant pressure from Indiana’s guards. Observers noted that her pace and ball handling kept Washington organized even when the Fever disrupted the Mystics’ preferred actions. (WNBA)
None
Monique Currie
Starter/Star (1.1)
28.0
High (1.2)
10.0
9.0
1.0
1.0
55.44
Currie attacked the basket instead of relying on her perimeter shot, repeatedly earning trips to the foul line when the offense stalled. Even with poor shooting, her willingness to absorb contact remained an important part of Washington’s playoff attack. (WNBA)
None
Marissa Coleman
Key Contributor (1.05)
25.0
Medium (1.1)
13.5
4.0
1.0
1.0
45.05
Coleman looked comfortable filling a complementary scoring role, spacing the floor while attacking closeouts when opportunities appeared. Independent coverage throughout her rookie year consistently highlighted her confidence and versatility, traits that carried into the postseason rotation. (washingtonpost.com)
WNBA All-Rookie Team (2009)
Katie Smith
Starter/Star (1.1)
27.5
Medium (1.1)
7.0
4.0
1.0
0.5
30.25
Smith embraced a veteran supporting role built around floor spacing, smart ball movement and defensive communication. Rather than chasing shots, she focused on creating balance for Washington’s younger core throughout the playoff series. (washingtonpost.com)
None
Nakia Sanford
Key Contributor (1.05)
14.0
Low (1.0)
5.5
3.0
0.5
1.0
21.00
Sanford supplied physical minutes off the bench, battling on the glass and defending bigger frontcourt players. Contemporary playoff coverage of her individual role was limited, but she remained a trusted defensive option in Julie Plank’s rotation.
None
Chasity Melvin
Key Contributor (1.05)
15.0
Low (1.0)
5.5
2.0
1.0
1.0
19.95
Melvin’s value came through screening, interior defense and veteran composure rather than offensive volume. She was frequently used to match Indiana’s size and provide stability whenever Washington needed a more physical lineup.
None
Jacinta Monroe
Bench (1.0)
2.5
Low (1.0)
0.0
0.5
0.0
0.5
2.00
Monroe appeared only briefly during the series. Contemporary independent reporting on her playoff contributions was limited, with most coverage focusing on Washington’s primary frontcourt rotation instead.
None
Ashley Houts
Bench (1.0)
4.0
Low (1.0)
0.0
1.0
0.0
0.0
2.00
Houts saw minimal playoff action as a reserve guard. Independent coverage of her postseason role was limited, reflecting her developmental status within Washington’s backcourt rotation.
None
Washington Mystics Totals
—
202.0
—
83.5
35.0
11.5
9.5
—
2009 WNBA Playoffs team totals for players provided.
