HAWKINS, HIGHTOWER AND SANDERS RE-SIGN WITH WASHINGTON

HAWKINS, HIGHTOWER AND SANDERS RE-SIGN WITH WASHINGTON

Washington, D.C. – The Washington Mystics announced that forwards Tianna Hawkins and LaToya Sanders and guard Allison Hightower have re-signed with the team.

Hawkins, who joined the Mystics prior to the 2014 season is coming off her best season. She averaged 6.9 points per game to go along 4.2 rebounds per game. Hawkins, who is from the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, was selected in the first round (6th overall) of the 2013 WNBA draft by the Seattle Storm. She attended the University of Maryland and led the Terrapins to the 2013 Sweet Sixteen on her way to earning numerous All-ACC Teams honors.

“Tianna has improved each year that she has been in Washington and we are confident that will continue,” said Thibault. “She was a big part of our post rotation last season and she is working hard this off-season on adding more to her game. I look forward to a great season from Tianna this summer.”

Sanders, who missed the 2017 season due to a foot injury, joined the Mystics in 2015. During the 2015 season, she became second in franchise history with most blocks (48) in a season. She has career averages of 4.2 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game and 1.4 blocks per game.

“It is great to have LaToya returning to the Mystics this season. The year off to have surgery and heal from her lingering injuries has allowed her to return to being the kind of player she expects of herself,” stated Thibault. “LaToya is one of the premier defenders in the WNBA and her veteran presence and leadership will be a welcome addition to our team.”

Hightower signed with Washington during the 2017 season. A WNBA All-Star in 2013, the 5-foot-10 guard appeared in 11 games for the Mystics and averaged 4.7 points per game and 1.1 assists per game.

Thibault added, “Alley was a very welcome addition to our roster late last season. Even though she wasn’t back to 100% health, she gave us a much-needed boost as we made our playoff push. Her ability to play multiple guard spots at both ends of the floor and her veteran experience in big games was essential to our success.”

The WNBA’s Washington Mystics are owned and operated by Monumental Sports & Entertainment, which is one of the largest integrated sports and entertainment companies in the country with one of the most diverse partnership groups in all of sports. The company also owns and operates the NBA’s Washington Wizards, the NHL’s Washington Capitals, the, the AFL’s Washington Valor and Baltimore Brigade, NBA 2K League’s Wizards District Gaming, as well as Capital One Arena, the premier sports and entertainment venue in Washington, D.C. Monumental Sports & Entertainment is also co-owner of aXiomatic, which has controlling interest in global esports franchise Team Liquid, and oversees the management of Kettler Capitals Iceplex–the training facility for the Washington Capitals–and the Eagle Bank arena at George Mason University.