Disclaimer: The following prediction is based on various possible scenarios including the Washington Mystics 4th pick in the upcoming WNBA Draft and maybe even a trade as well. Projections include players who will/may declare for the draft while in their freshman year. Despite making the playoffs, the Mystics managed to secure the fourth overall pick in the 2023 WNBA Draft from the previous year’s draft when they were traded to the Atlanta Dream and received the rights to swap the pick with the Los Angeles Sparks’ first-round pick who was actually Atlanta. owned.
player: Haley Jones
School: Stanford University (Cardinals)
position: Protect
Haley Jones is another great prospect who could potentially fall into the hands of the Washington Mystics or once again they could trade. In that case, Washington would only have to trade a point or two, that is, if the Mystics know for sure that Jones is who they want without a doubt. The only problem is, Washington already has two guards and even one guard they drafted last year was injured, Kristen Williams of UConn, who could be part of the roster. Unfortunately, rosters on a WNBA team stay at 12 and depending on which veterans come back, it limits the recruits to make the team.
However, Jones is an amazing talent, so whoever ends up drafting her, including the Mystics, will make the team.
Why Project Jones?
Although scoring is one of the key attributes that recruiters and coaches look for in a player, none of that can happen consistently without one or more facilitators on the team. Keepers rely on being facilitators, while forwards can sometimes surprise their opponents and be a hidden gem, pushing the ball while finding teammates. An example of this is Myisha Hines-Allen, who may be known as Point-forward.
In general, Jones has the ability to move the ball around and create her own shot. Being able to find the open player while creating plays on the ground is something mystics can take a step up. A lineup rotation that includes Natasha Cloud and Jones might spark some interest.
Another great example showing Haley Jones’ court vision
The low post doesn’t get the scoring traction, but it does direct the assist and Nevar slips behind the defence
Jones sees that, looking to make the jump, he doesn’t have the angle and pushes in the opposite direction to clear the eyes and open the lane pic.twitter.com/7CnVcTzPqC
– Mark Schindler (MG_Schindler) December 26, 2022
Jones is averaging 13.1 points per game, 8.3 rebounds and 3.8 assists while shooting 44.5 percent from the floor currently this season. Throughout her tenure at Stanford, her statistics in rebounds, assists, and steals increased. Her scoring remained the same while her shooting percentage decreased. However, their use and production has increased both in the junior and senior years. As a sophomore, Jones helped the Cardinals win the NCAA Championship in 2022 defeating the Arizona Wildcats, 54-53. She was even named the fourth Most Outstanding Player. In her junior year, she was named a first-team All-American by the Associated Press and was named to the All-Pac-12 team as well.
This season, so far, Jones has had two notable appearances. The first came the day after Thanksgiving when Stanford beat Florida Gulf Coast University in a Rainbow Wahney. She scored 24 points and grabbed 14 rebounds on 12 of 18 shots. The second game this month was against Arizona where she achieved a double-double with 18 points and 16 rebounds. Defensively, Jones added three steals and one block in that game as well.
The needs of the Sufis in office
As mentioned earlier, Jones brings the scoring, rebounding, and facilitation mentality to her team and any team that will draft her in the upcoming WNBA draft. Washington has it in Cloud who averaged a career-high 7 points in career assists in the 2022 season as well as 10.7 points per game. The addition of Jones could help compliment Cloud or even help keep the same momentum off the bench.
The Mystics need their bench crowd presence to remain intact and rely on the Mystics roster this upcoming season, as only Cloud and Ariel Atkins will suffice. Jones can also get to Washington’s edge which results in more attempts at the free throw line. The last time Washington had two real guards in the making, they won the 2019 championship with Cloud and Christy Tolliver. Why not recreate that atmosphere with Jones?