WASHINGTON, D.C. – With the 2024 Mystics season in the books, let's take a look back at Washington's two rookies who etched their names in the Mystics record books.

With heavy experience overseas, Julie Vanloo became the oldest rookie in the WNBA this season after being signed by the Mystics on February 1. The Belgium native quickly proved she belonged in the W, providing a veteran presence at point guard and rising up the Mystics rookie record lists. By the end of the season, Vanloo had made the most three-pointers by a rookie in Mystics history with 72. That number also put her into the top five all time for made three pointers by a rookie in WNBA history.

Vanloo's ability to make shots and facilitate the ball all season was top tier. Appearing in 40 games this season (34 starts), she ranked 7th among rookies in points per game (7.3) in the WNBA this season. At the same time, Vanloo ranked 10th in the WNBA and second among rookies in assists per game.

Back in April, Washington drafted one of the most highly-anticipated rookies of the 2024 class with the sixth pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. Aaliyah Edwards entered the professional ranks as one of the youngest players in the league, but instantly made an impact. Her 7.6 points per game ranked fifth amongst her fellow rookies this season. She also ranked fourth amongst the rookies in rebounds per game, pulling down 5.6 per contest.

Edwards introduced herself to a national audience on June 6th against the Chicago Sky - Washington's first game to be relocated to Capital One Arena this season. Edwards concluded the game with a career-high in points (23), rebounds (14), and blocks (4), becoming the second rookie in Mystics history to record 20+ points and 10+ rebounds in a game (Chamique Holdsclaw 1999, 3 games).

Teammate Shatori Walker-Kimbrough praised the rookie during postgame press, "I just need everyone to know, when everyone's talking about the rookie class, don't forget her name. She makes a statement every day. She puts her head down and works. I love having her as a teammate on and off the floor."

That game would be the first of Edwards' three double-doubles this season. She ranked fourth amongst the rookie class for games with 10+ points and 10+ rebounds.

Next Up for Our Rookies

With the season officially coming to an end after the team's thrilling win over the Fever at Capital One Arena, Vanloo will once again be playing in Turkey in the Euro Cup with Galatasaray Cagdas Faktoring. They'll be looking to contend for the title after falling in the Euro Cup Quarterfinals last season.

Aaliyah is prioritizing her rest this offseason and has no current plans to compete overseas. She's taking a well-deserved break after helping lead UConn to the Final Four, being drafted to the Mystics, playing for Team Canada, and returning to the Mystics in the span of a year.

However, Julie is committed to recruiting Edwards to her Euro Cup team, stating, "Listen, I said to Li, I said, take your rest and around November, December, my team Gala is going to call you. You're playing with me overseas. That's my plan with Aaliyah." Which leaves one to wonder what dynamic the two can create heading into 2025.