Former Rutgers star Ace Bailey tried to steer his path into the NBA by making his preferred destinations clear to league executives. Despite being the third-rated prospect for many draft pundits, Bailey preferred to go sixth overall to the Washington Wizards.

Bailey refused workouts with teams, canceling a session with the Philadelphia 76ers, who had the No. 3 overall pick in the draft. He also didn’t want to land fourth to the Charlotte Hornets or fifth with the Utah Jazz. Yet, he did have a private workout with the Wizards in Atlanta before the draft, according to Wizards insider Troy Haliburton.

As the 76ers and Hornets passed on Bailey, it appeared things were going according to plan. However, the Jazz, despite knowing Bailey’s desire, selected him a pick before Washington. Fans on social media made assumptions about Bailey’s body language and reaction to Utah’s selection.

According to NBA insider Jake Fischer, the Wizards considered trading up to acquire Bailey, a 6-foot-8 wing with a 7-foot wingspan. Washington could’ve moved up to fourth. However, the Hornets ultimately decided against a trade. Charlotte selected Duke wing Kon Knueppel with the fourth pick. The Hornets feared that by trading with the Wizards, the Jazz would have chosen Knueppel with their No. 5 pick.

Instead, Bailey and the Wizards were left hoping he slipped out of the top five.

Trying to call your shot as an incoming rookie is a tricky endeavor. The perception is that Bailey’s approach is an entitlement. Some fans, executives, and media may not understand. However, someone in Bailey’s position has the right to steer their ship.

76ers forward Paul George sounded off against Bailey for skipping his team’s workout.

“You’re not in a position to be making all these demands. Make it to the league first. His way of going about it is just not right.”

Fit, culture, coaching staff, and overall organizational structure all play a role in a player’s development. George should know that. Bailey didn’t care about his draft stock dropping. Whatever the reasons, Bailey and his camp didn’t like Philadelphia, Charlotte, and Utah.

Alex Sarr successfully balked his way to the Wizards last year

Washington has become an intriguing destination for young players. The Wizards’ current front office has emphasized a rebuild around young talent. Last year, Alex Sarr was the top overall prospect, yet his preferred destination was the Wizards, who held the No. 2 overall pick.

Sarr didn’t want to go first overall to the Atlanta Hawks, and the Hawks obliged, passing on him and allowing him to land with the Wizards.

The Wizards are becoming a preferred destination for young players. President of Basketball Operations Michael Winger and General Manager Will Dawkins lead the Wizards front office. Washington has a young core that includes Sarr as well as Bilal Coulibaly, Bub Carrington, Kyshawn George, and AJ Johnson. The team has added veterans by trading for Marcus Smart, Khris Middleton, and, more recently, CJ McCollum.

The Wizards’ build has resembled that of the Oklahoma City Thunder, whom both Winger and Dawkins worked for under the guidance of famed GM Sam Presti. Adding Bailey would have only amplified the perception.

Will Ace Bailey embrace the Utah Jazz?

Now, Ace Bailey must make the best of his opportunity in Utah.

“I can control what I can control,” Bailey said after being picked by the Jazz. “They feel how they feel. But my team and me, focusing on basketball and them doing what they’re doing, so it happens.”

Bailey added he had “no idea” the Jazz were interested in him. By the sounds of things, Bailey wasn’t interested in the Jazz. Utah plans to keep the pick. They’re embarking on a rebuild of their own. While they may not have the eye-candy pieces that the Wizards have, Bailey should have an ultimate green light there.

Bailey will have the opportunity to be coached and developed by Will Hardy’s staff, which includes assistant Steve Wojciechowski.

Still, there are additional factors to consider regarding how Bailey handled the draft process. Again, he now has to make the best of the situation.

The Wizards got a good consolation prize for missing out on Bailey, selecting Texas guard Tre Johnson with the sixth pick overall. Johnson led the SEC in scoring as a freshman with 19.9 points per game.

Wizards fans will be comparing Bailey and Johnson for years to come. Meanwhile, the relationship between Bailey and the Jazz organization, as well as its fans, will be intriguing to watch.

The post Ace Bailey was so close to getting drafted by Wizards like he wanted appeared first on DC Sports King.

According to Cuneyt Dil of Axios, the Washington Commanders will unveil plans for a $3 billion football stadium at the site of the team’s iconic RFK Stadium in Washington, DC. Commanders owner Josh Harris will join DC Mayor Muriel Bowser at the National Press Club for the announcement at 11:00 a.m. Monday.

The Commanders want to open the new stadium by 2030.

News of a deal between the Commanders and city officials surfaced last week in a report by NBC4 Washington. The team is reportedly committed to paying up to $2.5 billion of the stadium’s cost.

The partnership will also include public funding, likely toward the stadium’s infrastructure and surrounding development. The city’s price tag could be around $850 million.

The deal comes after years of the team pushing for a new stadium, going back to previous owner Dan Snyder.

The Commanders played at RFK Stadium under its previous team moniker from 1961-1996. The late Jack Kent Cooke moved the team’s playing home to nearby Landover, Maryland, before he died. Washington opened the stadium in September 1997.

Initially dubbed Jack Kent Cooke Stadium, the stadium changed names to FedEx Field and Northwest Stadium. Decrepit conditions have marred Washington’s current home. Harris vowed to get a new stadium once he completed the purchase of the team in July 2023.

Harris and his ownership group invested $75 million in renovations and improvements to Northwest Stadium.

Negotiations with the nation’s capital picked up recently after Congress handed over control of the land of RFK Stadium for the next 99 years, allowing the city to decide how they would use the site.

A deal still needs to be approved by the DC City Council. Council Chairman Phil Mendelson (D) recently told The Washington Post that he opposes any public dollars going toward paying for a stadium.

While Maryland pushed to keep the Commanders, and Virginia was once in contention, the team always yearned for a return to Washington. Fans have, as well. The commute to the District is far better for fans than to the Maryland suburbs.

The Washington franchise captured its three Super Bowl titles in four appearances during its glory days from 1982 to 1991 while calling RFK Stadium home. The team’s popularity is why Cooke desired a bigger stadium.

The franchise has endured decades of embarrassment through negative headlines, oftentimes spearheaded by its former owner, Snyder. A series of sexual harassment claims surrounding Snyder and the team’s brass, along with a dispute with then-minority owners and finances, ultimately led to Snyder putting the franchise up for sale at the NFL’s urging.

Meanwhile, the team changed its moniker and dropped its controversial logo amid the negative publicity. The name “Commanders” was unveiled in February 2022 to a mixed reaction from fans.

Drawbacks from DC, Maryland, and Virginia to a new deal occurred due to the negativity surrounding Snyder.

Nonetheless, some of the prestige and excitement have been restored under Harris. In less than 24 months since buying the team, Harris has brought in General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. Then they drafted potential franchise quarterback Jayden Daniels.

The Commanders won 12 games, the most since 1991 when the team last won a Super Bowl. They also won their first playoff game since 2006, reaching the NFC Championship Game for the first time since 1991.

Now, the new regime has a stadium deal in place to return to its home city.

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By Sunday, the DMV Hoopstarz 17U National Team was shorthanded and reeling off two games they let get away at the PUMA’s NXTPRO Hoops Valley Forge Session. With their backs against the wall, head coach Andre Davis learned a lot about his squad.

Justin Davis (Chapelgate Christian Academy—MD) scored a team-high 18 points, draining five three-pointers, as the Storm Chasers closed the session with an impressive 70-46 win over AIT 17U. However, it was the show of fortitude that was the story.

After opening the session with a comeback victory on Friday night, the Storm Chasers dropped two games on Saturday by seven points. The team left the Greater Philadelphia Expo Center that night, pointing to what could have been. Coach Davis stressed missed free throws. Star player – 6’5 big Kendrick “KD” Tche-Tafon (Annapolis Area Christian – MD) echoed the missed free throws and how the team got beat on the 50/50 balls.

On Easter Sunday, the Hoopstarz were down to six active players. Tche-Tafon sat out with an apparent knee injury. Yet, the team responded with an inspiring performance despite being without its leading scorer and rebounder through three games.

King Motley IV (Bladensburg HS – MD) had already established himself as a stud defender for the Hoopstarz throughout the session, guarding 1 through 5 as the Hoopstarz needed. However, it was his offense that helped spark the team on Sunday.

In his first start of the session, Motley scored 11 of his 13 points in the first half. Throughout the half, Motley attacked the basket off the dribble. When he scored an And-1, the Storm Chasers held a double-digit advantage en route to a 43-24 halftime lead.

Motley understood that with three players, including Tche-Tafon, down, he had to step up, as he explained, talking about his hot start in the first half.

“It’s an opportunity,” Motley said. “We were shorthanded, so everyone had to step up. A lot of us stepped up. I knew we needed me to get going early to build a comfortable lead. That’s why I just started attacking early.”

While Davis and Motley were the usual names that stood out for the DMV Hoopstarz, Omari Atkins (Northwood HS – MD) and Emre Tari (Gerstell HS – MD) broke the ice in Sunday’s session finale.

Tari finished with 16 points. He scored more in Game 3, but his efficiency shooting was much higher on Sunday. The floor seemed to open up more for Tari, with Davis hitting threes and Motley attacking the bucket. Tari was able to get loose with his mid-range and floater.

Tari admitted he felt more comfortable as the session went along, which led to his performance against AIT.

“The pace of the game was different from when I was in high school; AAU is a lot faster; just calming myself down, playing with pace allowed me to be more confident,” Tari acknowledged.

Atkins added 13 points. He also attacked the basket off the dribble, adding to the Storm Chasers’ scoring barrage inside the paint. Atkins also flashed more aspects of his potential with passing and weakside defense.

One of the game’s highlights was the great team defense displayed by Tari, Motley, and Atkins.

Tari guarded the ball on the wing, and Motley helped; first, he negated a drive lane, then called out the pick to Tari’s right. Next, Motley tried jumping a pass for a steal, running the shooter off the corner, forcing baseline cut right into Atkins, rotating for an emphatic block.

Atkins pointed out that there is an adjustment to getting used to the circuit’s environment and playing with new teammates:

“You know, I’m getting more comfortable with the team and the space and environment we’re in. Being here in the NXT circuit is like every game is a fight. And us being a new team, we’re learning how to come together and move as brothers and a unit.”

For Coach Davis, those words will cement his hard work of integrating seven new players with his returning stars.

The inconsistency in Game 2 and Game 3 losses was not in Game 4.

In Game 2, the Hoopstarz know they should’ve closed the deal against Select Elite. The Storm Chasers’ 11 missed free throws overshadowed Tche-Tafon’s 22 points and 20 rebounds and Davis’s 19 points.

Down 70-67, Motley stole a pass across mid-court before kicking it out to Davis on the wing for a three that rimmed out. Tari’s desperation corner three after an offensive rebound fell short at the buzzer.

Later on Saturday. a back-and-forth contest against the Brooklyn Wildcats ended in a 75-71 loss. Again, missed free throws and momentary lapses in defense were the culprits.

Yet, down three players Sunday, Tari explained the team had the mindset of taking care of business:

“We all needed to go out and get rebounds because KD grabs like twenty rebounds a game for us, so everyone knew that we all had to crash the boards. That was our mentality, crashed the boards.

Davis, Motley, Tari, and Atkins each had at least five rebounds for the game, which is equivalent to the “twenty” KD typically rounds up.

The 24-point win on Sunday flushed away some concerns from the two losses. Considering being shorthanded, ending on a high note is a huge plus for the DMV Hoopstarz going forward.

No secret to biggest need of improvement

From coaches to players, missed free throws were the theme for the two losses. The DMV Hoopstarz shot 5-of-16 from the charity stripe in the loss to Select Elite.

“We actually lost the game at the free throw line,” Coach Davis stated. “Our goal is to shoot 40 percent from two, 30 percent from three, and 70 percent from the free throw line. [Against Select Elite] We were 31 percent. We were 5-of-16 from the line, that’s the game. We lost by three.”

Adjusting to the circuit environment, the players echoed tight rims, the shooting background, and constant noise and whistles contributed the up-and-down session. Yet, shooting free throws is a controllable variant of the game.

“I feel that the only two games we lost were close games; if you look at our free throw attempts, we missed too many,” Motley added. “If we hit at least more than half of our free throws, we’d probably won those games. I feel like we’re a good team. We’re going to head into practice, looking to pick up the intensity.”

DMV Hoopstarz are building depth and banding together

There is no denying Kendrick Tche-Tafon and Justin Davis were standouts. Tche-Tafon led the team with 20.3 points and 10.3 rebounds per game. Tche-Tafon dominated the paint throughout the session with his physicalitiy and relentess effort on the glass.

Meanwhile, Davis controlled the pace of the game, averaging 18.8 points. Davis displayed his ability to score on all three levels. He also played with excellent pace. His ability to stop on the dime on pull-ups kept opposing teams on their heels throughout the session.

Needing depth beyond KD and Justin was a concern, playing with seven new players.

King Motley IV established himself as a key defensive player. The Hoopstarz coaching staff praised his defensive prowess. When the team needs defensive stops, the coaches turned to Motley. His defense made it hard for Coach Davis to take him off the floor.

He also flashed his offensive abilities in Sunday’s finale. Motley loves to attack the basket by getting downhill. His first step, speed, and power off the dribble makes him an intriguing addition to the rotation moving forward.

Emre Tari got more comfortable as the session progressed. He scored 33 points over the final two games. Tari can handle the ball and create his own shot. He’s discovered the lost art of the mid-range jumper. He also has a floater and ability to get a shot up over defenders in the paint. Getting used to the pace of the game on the circuit allowed him to score in bunches.

Omari Atkins has the size and movement. His early session struggles were more about fitting in. Once he got comfortable around his new teammates, he shined in Sunday’s finale, showing what he could bring to the table in all aspects of the game, rebounding, passing, and protecting the rim.

As the DMV Hoopstarz were without two returning players and losing three additional players as the session continued, Atkins, Tari, and Motley proved reliable assets to go along with their leaders, Tche-Tafon and Davis.

The PUMA NXTPRO is full of good teams. This DMV Hoopstarz team is deep across the board. They have size, physicality, speed. As the team bands together and more roles are established, the Storm Chasers can be a formidable group.

The post Everything you need to know about DMV Hoopstarz 17U first NXT Pro Hoops session appeared first on DC Sports King.

The DMV Hoopstarz 17U National Team made its 2025 Puma NXT Pro Hoops season debut in Valley Forge Friday. After a cold start to the game, the Hoopstarz rallied from a 12-point second-half deficit to stun Team First Elite or a 58-54 victory.

Kendrick “KD” Tche-Tafon (Annapolis Area Christian – MD) led the charge with 22 points. Meanwhile, Justin Davis (Chapelgate Christian Academy – MD) added 21. Davis hit the go-ahead three-pointer, and Tche-Tafon sealed the win at the free-throw line.

Both Davis and KD are returning players for head coach Andre Davis. The Hoopstarz, with seven new players, showed a strong sense of unity. One new player who particularly stood out on the defensive end was King Motley IV (Bladensburg-MD).

After falling behind 12-4 in the first half, Motley came off the bench and helped the Hoopstarz lock in on defense. The team fed off his energy and stayed in the game, closing the gap to 28-25 with just over three minutes remaining.

However, Team First Elite closed the half on a 5-0 run. Then, taking the momentum into the start of the second half, it made a pair of three-pointers that opened the lead to 39-27.

Coach Davis turned to Motley just two minutes into the second half. He was tasked to keep Team First Elite’s hot three-point shooter at bay, and he did so with great man-to-man defense.

Motley finished with two points, but his impact on the game went beyond the stat sheet. He did a great job locking in where his team needed him.

“Whatever you can do to stay on the court,” Motley said. “I figured my defense could change the flow of the game. If not my scoring, then help out on defense.”

Davis and Tche-Tafon got going on the scoreboard after the defense revved up.

Davis shot 8-of-16 from the field. He mixed up his scoring by attacking the rim and pulling up from mid-range.

“I was thinking we got to score, get back in the game somehow,” Davis said. “I was feeling it, so I kept shooting.”

The Hoopstarz demonstrated a team’s true strength in their response to adversity. Despite a slow start and falling behind by double digits in the second half, they did not lose heart. Their resilience was genuinely inspiring.

“We just needed to make stops and get the ball in the rim,” Davis said.

“Once I got the 30-second shot clock violation, when I forced it, we changed the complexion of the game,” Motley added. “Coach said, ‘See what happens when you play defense.’ Once that happened, we started clicking on defense and noticed what they were doing. [We] started forcing missed shots and got transition buckets. Justin had a lot of transition [scores], and the three that he had to give us the lead started with defense.”

Tche-Tafon’s impact on the game was beyond his 22 points. He protected the rim with three blocks. He also helped control the glass with a team-high eight rebounds.

“When our defense picked up, the scoreboard started changing in our favor,” Tche-Tafon reflected. “I really believe once we cleaned up on defense, finished on the boards, and pushed out in transition… we secured the win.”

With two games set for Saturday, the DMV Hoopstarz hope to build their momentum. The defensive energy helped them get into the win column on Friday. Hopefully, they can keep that momentum to impress.

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The tragic death of Kyren Lacy has rocked the football world. Washington Commanders quarterback Jayden Daniels was at the forefront of mourning the loss of his former LSU teammate. Daniels reflected on the series of Instagram stories about his fallen friend.

Lacy died Saturday night of an apparent suicide during a police chase in Houston.

After learning of the tragic news, Daniels took to his Instagram account to post 20 heartwarming moments he and Lacy shared. One special moment occurred last year when Lacy appeared on a video call to congratulate Daniels and Malik Nabers on getting drafted.

Daniels and Lacy’s time at LSU

After both transferred to LSU, Daniels and Lacy became teammates during the 2022 collegiate season.

Lacy was a massive part of Daniels’ 2023 Heisman Trophy season at wide receiver, sharing targets with future NFL first-round picks Malik Nabers and Brian Thomas Jr. Their first touchdown link, a three-yard out route, happened that season against Grambling. From there, the two embraced in multiple touchdown celebrations.

Lacy had 30 catches for 558 yards and seven touchdowns.

Daniels’ final college touchdown pass was to Lacy. The pass was a 15-yard connection in the waning minutes of the Tigers’ 42-30 win.

Daniels reflecting on Instagram

Almost all the posts featured messages from Daniels expressing how good of a teammate Lacy was and how much he will miss him.

“ till next time brudda… We gonna hold it down for,” Daniels wrote. “U gon live yo dreams through us. hope u at peace now ”

Daniels continued:

“U always brought that energy and positivity no matter what… A real one! Showed love from the first day.”

Daniels said in another post:

“We [were] front line every time love u brudda fr”

With Daniels, Nabers, and Thomas in the NFL, Lacy blossomed into a projected first-round pick prospect behind a stellar senior season. He had 58 receptions for 866 yards and nine touchdowns.

However, his draft stock plummeted following his alleged involvement in a fatal hit-and-run accident in December. Lacy faced charges related to the car crash, including negligent homicide, felony hit-and-run, and reckless operation of a vehicle. A grand jury hearing had been set for Monday in Louisiana.

Last month, Lacy participated in LSU’s Pro Day. He clocked in a 4.50-second 40-yard dash and a 36-inch vertical jump.

Lacy’s unfathomable death has left a void in the football and LSU community. Teammates and fans recognized his talent and personality throughout the day.

Daniels and other LSU teammates will carry unforgettable memories as they prepare for the upcoming 2025 NFL and NCAA seasons.

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The Maryland Terrapins cruised past Grand Canyon 81-49 to advance to the Round of 32 in the NCAA Tournament. The Terrapins’ starting five, dubbed the “Crab Five,” led the charge with four starters scoring in double digits. The 32-point blowout marked the most significant tournament win in program history.

• Julian Reese- 18 points, 2 blocks, 9 rebounds, 2 steals
• Derik Queen- 12 points, a block, 15 rebounds
• Ja’Kobi Gillespie- 16 points, 2 steals, 3 assists
• Rodney Rice- 9 points
• Selton Miguel- 13 points

Maryland’s sixth man DeShawn Harris-Smith scored 11 points, making all five of his field goal attempts. He also grabbed four rebounds.

Senior forward Julian Reese piloted the scoring, finishing with 18 points and was one rebound shy of a double-double with nine. Meanwhile, his frontcourt partner, and Big Ten Freshman of the Year, Derik Queen, chimed with 12 points and a historic 15 rebounds—the most rebounds by a Maryland freshman in a tournament game.

Maryland (26-9) pounded the paint early, but its offense attacked from the perimeter as well. The Terrapins backcourt duo of Ja’Koi Gillespie and Selton Miguel spread Grand Canyon’s defense.

Miguel finished with 13 points, making each of his three, three-point attempts. Gillespie shot 5-of-10 from the field, and made 4-of-5 free throws.
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With 12:30 in the first half, Gillipse drained a transition three-pointer to give the Terps the lead, and they never looked back. He finished the game with 16 points and 3 assists.

Maryland’s dominant performance was not without flaw. Virginia Tech transfer Rodney Rice struggled through 3-of-11 shooting. However, he finished with nine points.

The Terrapins also struggled from the free throw line, shooting 12-of-24. They’ll have to clean up from the charity stripe to continue advancing through a loaded West Region.

Still, Friday’s performance in Seattle showed the nation how strong is the “Crab Five.” Maryland looks to advance past the Round of 32 for the first time since 2016. Maryland will meet 12-seed Colorado State, who upset 5th seed Memphis on Friday.

Colorado State (26-9) has won 11 straight games, including the Mountain West Conference tournament. The Rams are more than a Cinderella story and expect to be a formidable opponent for the Terrapins.

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On Saturday, the Maryland Terrapins were 5.3 seconds away from reaching its first men’s Big Ten Conference tournament title appearance. Big Ten Freshman of the Year Derik Queen capped off a career-high 31-point performance with free throws to put Maryland ahead 81-80 against Michigan.

However, with no timeouts, Michigan executed a perfect play that ended in guard Tre Donaldson beating the buzzer with a layup over Queen to advance the Wolverines to Sunday’s championship game. The hearts of the Maryland faithful got broken in the process.

After inbounding the basketball, Donaldson got the handoff and raced down the court, beating Maryland’s press. With the lane clear, Donaldson laid the ball into the hoop over a reaching Queen with 0.4 seconds remaining.

The reaction to Tre Donaldson stunning Maryland

The reaction from supporters of both teams explained the ending of March Madness.

Maryland head coach Kevin Willard may regret not sitting back on defense to force a longer shot. Terps’ hero in the quarterfinals of the Big Ten tournament, Rodney Rice, was late getting over to Donaldson charging.

Queen froze at the wing and was late recovering. Meanwhile, Julian Reese, who should have been the last line of defense, mistimed his jump to contest. In hindsight, Reese should have stepped up to create contact or impede Donaldson’s path.

Selton Miguel appeared to be the only Maryland defender in his proper place. He sealed off Donaldson, potentially dumping a pass-off on his teammate Roddy Gayle Jr.

Maryland last four losses coming on opponent’s final shot

Overall, the Terrapins’ performance in the play was nearly a total breakdown. Michigan executed the play they needed to perfection, and one has to give credit to Wolverines head coach Dustin May.

Michigan improved to 12-4 on the season in games decided by five points or less. Meanwhile, Maryland fell to 4-7 in the same situation. Maryland’s last four losses have come when their opponent beat the buzzer with a made shot.

Northwestern topped Maryland on Jan. 16 behind a Nick Martinelli jumper in overtime before the final horn sounded. On Feb. 6, Ohio State’s Bruce Thornton drained a three-pointer with nine seconds remaining that proved the game-winner. Then, on Feb. 26, Tre Holloman sank a half-court heave at the buzzer to lift Michigan State past Maryland.

Add up the time remaining after the game-winning shots in Maryland’s last four losses and you’d get 7.8 seconds — two buzzer-beaters, a banked-in 3-pointer with 7.4 seconds and Tre Donaldson’s coast-to-coast layup today.

— Eli Cohen of The Diamondback

Now, Tre Donaldson has added to the Maryland heartbreak. The Terrapins must shake off the dramatic loss. Michigan will play No. 5 seed Wisconsin in Sunday’s Big Ten Championship. The Terrapins will wait to hear their names during the Selection Show of the NCAA Tournament.

Maryland is 14-3 in its last 17 games. The Terrapins (25-8 overall, 14-6 conference) finished the regular season second in the Big Ten standings and expect to be a top-4 seed in the Field of 68. The multiple heartbreaking moments will better prepare Willard and the Terrapins for any late-game situations during the NCAA tournament.

It will end their season if Maryland suffers another breakdown in a clutch moment this month.

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The Washington Mystics have landed three first-round picks in the 2025 WNBA draft. After a trade that sent six-year vet Ariel Atkins to the Chicago Sky, the Mystics now obtain the third, fourth, and sixth overall pick.

They also housed the sixth pick from a trade involving the Atlanta Dream.

Atkins is the last member of the 2019 Mystics team, which won its first and only WNBA Finals. She was a key contributor in the finals, averaging 9.6 points while shooting 44 percent from the field.

Atkins became one of the Mystics’ go-to scorers in the post-championship era. She even became a two-time All-Star in 2021 and 2022. Atkins is coming off a season leading the Mystics in scoring with 14.9 points per game.

But as the Sky pair rising star Angel Reese with a scorer, the Mystics have grabbed a key opportunity with these picks to bolster the franchise in the right direction of its rebuild.

Entering the draft, the team had the lowest odds of winning the lottery, at 10.4 percent.

• No. 1 pick, Dallas Wings, 22.7% odds
• No. 2 pick, Los Angeles Sparks, 44.2% odds
• No. 3 pick, Chicago Sky, 22.7 odds
• No. 4 pick, Washington Mystics, 10.4% odd

Now, the Mystics have a chance to build their future with these three upcoming picks. As the college regular season ends, here’s who the Mystics should select in the first round.

What the Mystics need to draft

University of Connecticut guard Paige Bueckers expects to be the consensus number-one pick. Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles should follow Bueckers with the second overall pick. The Mystics could package their draft capital to move up for Miles. Yet, Washington has an opportunity to maximize their draft capital with three top prospects.

This draft class features a ton of potential in its prospects. The Mystics’ draft decisions may change as the 2024-25 college basketball season rolls on. But one thing is sure: the Mystics need a better offense.

With a record of 14-26, finishing ninth in the “W,” the Mystics were ninth in the league in scoring, averaging 79.8 points per game. They were first in turnovers, with 15.1. They were also second to last in defensive rating across the league.

So, considering these factors, some candidates are worthy of the three draft picks.

No. 3 pick: Sonia Citron, 3-and-D wing from Notre Dame

Sonia Citron is a 6’1 guard for the sixth-ranked Notre Dame Fighting Irish. She’s averaging 13.8 points per game, shooting 49 percent from the field and 36 percent from three in 29 games.

She’s coming off a good run in the ACC tournament, scoring nine points in three games and shooting 43 percent from the field. Despite the disappointing 61-56 loss to Duke in the semifinals, Citron put up nine points, four steals, and two blocks in Notre Dame’s last game before the tournament.

Her addition to the team could provide a better output for the Mystics on both sides of the floor. Citron’s strength is moving off the ball and knocking down the three. She can also defend at a high level, as she averages two steals per game. Her defense can boost the team’s struggles on that side of the ball.

Citron makes a quick impact on the team as a shooter and defender.

No. 4 pick: Dominique Malonga, Center/Forward from France and LDLC ASVEL

Dominique Malonga is an outstanding draft prospect from France heading to the Europe side of basketball. She is also coming off an Olympic debut with France’s national team.

In 2022, Malonga went viral for completing a drop-step into a dunk at the age of 16.

At 6’6″, she is averaging nearly a double-double with LDLC. Malonga scores 15.6 points, 10 rebounds, and 1.4 blocks per game.

Malonga is an excellent rebounder and inside defender. Her ability to block shots complements her rebounding efforts and makes her a standout. In addition to her fantastic defense, Malonga is an excellent shot-creator in the post. She even has a deadly one-legged fadeaway in her arsenal.

After missing out on Angel Reese in last year’s draft, this can be the perfect pick to quickly compensate for the team’s lack of rebounding and defense.

No. 6 pick: Te-Hina Paopao, a combo guard from South Carolina

Te-Hina Paopao is a 5’9 combo guard for the defending National champions, South Carolina. She’s averaging 9.8 points, three assists, and a steal per game while shooting 44 percent from the field and 36 percent from three.

She can be another offensive addition for the Mystics. Paopao is a guard from a winning team who can do it all offensively.

Paopao struggled recently in the SEC tournament, averaging 6.6 points and three assists while shooting 30 percent from the field. Despite the offensive struggle, she pulled down five rebounds in a 64-45 win over Texas in the SEC Championship.

She’s a high-IQ guard who can make great decisions and make plays for others. She can score with a nice pull-up game and her catch-and-shoot skills.

Paopao can learn a lot from the veteran guards already on the roster and become the franchise point guard.

The Mystics’ rebuild starts next spring with their three first-round picks. They hope to strike gold for the upcoming 2025 draft. As the college basketball season continues to close, their decision regarding who will face their rebuild will become more apparent.

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Less than 24 hours after re-signing three-time Pro Bowler Zach Ertz, the Washington Commanders are returning another tight end from last season’s roster. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Commanders came to terms with John Bates on a three-year deal.

There was speculation that Bates would have a market in free agency. The signing of Ertz on Saturday left Bates’ status with the team in limbo on the surface. However, the team worked out a reported three-year deal.

John Bates was a fourth-round draft pick of Washington in 2021 under the previous regime led by Ron Rivera. Interestingly, Bates was one of a handful of Rivera’s draft picks that remained on the Commanders’ roster in 2024 and contributed to their 12-win season.

Rivera dreadfully missed the mark with his four draft classes with Washington. The previous regime had 33 draft picks over four years. None of his 2020 draft picks are with the team, including second-overall pick Chase Young. Bates becomes just the second of the 2021 class to earn a second contract with Washington behind offensive guard Sam Cosmi.

The futures of Dyami Brown, Benjamin St-Juste, and Darrick Forrest remain in limbo. Bates and Cosmi could be a rare company after this off-season. Meanwhile, only four picks remain from 2022 and 2023 combined.

How John Bates fit into the Commanders new culture

Bates missed a mere game during his first four seasons in the league. He’s been primarily a TE2 in his time with Washington. Last season, Bates’ strength of run-blocking was highlighted more under new offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury. As a result, Bates had career lows with eight catches and 84 yards. However, his blocking ability in the run game kept him on the field for 516 offensive snaps.

Bates is locked for three years as Washington’s blocking tight end behind Ertz’s pass-catching. Bates’ return allows last year’s second-round draft pick Ben Sinnott more time to develop as Ertz’s eventual replacement.

The Commander’s front office has targeted re-signing potential free agents who have carved out a role in setting the team’s new winning culture. Where Ertz was a locker room leader and a key contributor to the development of star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, Bates’ attitude and acceptance of the blocking role, his mindset allowed him to fit in under Kingsbury and first-year head coach Dan Quinn.

The Commanders are loading up with offensive weapons for Daniels, including trading for wide receiver Deebo Samuel to complement All-Pro wideout Terry McLaurin. Yet, Bates is just as huge with his ability to set the edge in the run game and chip block in passing.

That commitment landed John Bates a second NFL contract. Washington fended off other suitors as they yearn to return to the NFC Championship Game and beyond.

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The Washington Commanders have re-signed another locker room leader who helped build its winning culture in 2024. According to Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Commanders have re-signed veteran tight end Zach Ertz to a one-year deal worth $6.25 million.

Ertz revitalized his career last season with the Commanders. The three-time Pro Bowler hauled 66 receptions for 654 yards and seven touchdowns. He became the safety net for star rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels.

He played an integral part in the development of Daniels, who won the 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

Daniels reacted to the news of Ertz re-signing with Washington.

Ertz had his most catches and yards since being traded from the Philadelphia Eagles to the Arizona Cardinals in 2021. In Arizona, his career stalled, leading to his release in November of 2023. He finished the season on the Detroit Lions’ practice squad.

Last season, he signed a one-year $3 million deal with Washington, and earned an additional $750,000 with incentives. Ertz’s signing was due to his familiarity with Commanders offensive coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, who was Ertz’s head coach during some of his time with Arizona.

Ertz led the tight end room and mentored Daniels into a breakout season. The Commanders won 12 games during the regular season and reached the NFC Championship Game before losing to the eventual Super Bowl LIX champion, the Philadelphia Eagles.

Ertz was among the roster and organization’s overhaul, which included the hiring of General Manager Adam Peters and Head Coach Dan Quinn. Now, the club is looking to build off their success. Keeping the locker room leadership that helped build their 2024 season has been a priority for the team’s brass.

Earlier this week, Washington re-signed All-Pro linebacker Bobby Wagner to a one-year deal for 2025. Wagner anchored the defense, and now the team has taken care of Ertz, giving Daniels back his safety net.

Zach Ertz will at least bridge the gap at tight end for another season. Washington traded for wide receiver Deebo Samuel earlier this month from the San Francisco 49ers. Both Ertz and Samuel will complement All-Pro wide receiver Terry McLaurin while bolstering Washington’s offense that ranked seventh in yards and fifth in points in 2024.

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