Meng Becomes Seventh Mystics Player Named To The WNBA All-Rookie Team
WASHINGTON, DC – The Women’s National Basketball Association announced today that Washington Mystics guard Li Meng has been named to the 2023 WNBA All-Rookie Team. This marks the second-straight season a Mystics player has earned All-Rookie honors (Shakira Austin; 2022) and Meng becomes the seventh player in franchise history to be named to the WNBA All-Rookie Team.
“The Mystics are thrilled that Li Meng has been named to the WNBA All-Rookie team,” said Head Coach Eric Thibault. “Meng was a key part of our team this season, particularly the way she was able to shoot and spread the floor, and was a major contributor to us making the playoffs.”
An undrafted free agent from China, she led all rookies in three-point shooting, averaging 1.3 threes made per game and 44 total three-point field goals made. During 2023, she posted 14 games with at least two made three-pointers, the most among all rookies and the most in a rookie season in Mystics history (previous: Ariel Atkins; 11, 2018). Meng’s 14 games with multiple made threes are the third most in a rookie season since 2019, trailing only Arike Ogunbowale (17 games; 2019) and Rhyne Howard (24 games; 2022).
In her first WNBA season, Meng averaged 5.6 points, 1.1 rebounds and 1.0 assists over 34 games (one start). Meng also totaled the fifth-most points among rookies (190).
She recorded a career-high 14 points, including a career-best four threes on June 16 in a win over Phoenix. Her four three-pointers are tied for the most made by a rookie in a game during the 2023 regular season.