General Manager and Head Coach, Mike Thibault, announced today that Emma Meesseman will not play in the WNBA during the 2018 season, but will return in 2019.
“Emma has played year-round for almost six consecutive years, without time to rest her body from the wear and tear that results from that kind of schedule,” stated Thibault. “In addition, Emma feels that her National Team preparation in August and September, ahead of the 2018 World Cup of Basketball, is a priority for her at this point in her career. We are sorry that Emma will not be with us this season, but we have been preparing for this possibility for a while.”
Meesseman has averaged 10.9 points and 5.4 rebounds per game during her WNBA career, including 14.1 points and 5.7 rebounds in 2017. She was named to her first All-Star team in 2015 and has helped the Mystics make four playoffs appearances in the last five years.
A 6-4 center from Belgium, Meesseman was selected in the second round (19th overall) of the 2013 WNBA draft. During her sophomore campaign, Meesseman started every game and was a candidate for Most Improved Player of the Year.
Meesseman has also had a successful international career and is a member of the Belgium National Team. Last year, she led the Belgium National Team to their best performance in the World Championships that resulted in a Bronze medal.