Washington Mystics Head Coach and General Manager Mike Thibault announced that the team has signed forward Aerial Powers to a contract extension through the 2020 season. Washington acquired Powers in a mid-season trade with the Dallas Wings in 2018. A 6’0 forward, Powers was selected in the first round (fifth overall) by the Wings. She averaged 5.1 points per game and 2.3 rebounds per game during the Mystics 2018 playoff run.
“Aerial has demonstrated since the trade last season that she can be an integral part of our team. She can score and rebound and has shown great improvement at the defensive end of the court,” said Thibault. “She has learned to use her physicality to her advantage. She fits well in our team culture and we are excited to have her for at least the next couple seasons.”
Powers came off the bench during her rookie year to lead the team in scoring in numerous games. She was named to the WNBA All-Rookie team after averaging 10.4 points per game, 2.7 rebounds per game and 1.1 assists per game her first year. Powers has career averages of 9.0 points per game, 2.1 rebounds per game and 3.0 assists per game.
Powers attended Michigan State University where she became the school’s all-time scoring leader with 1,817 career points. She also set other school records, including career points per game (18.9), double-doubles (44) and free throws made (438).