Posts by Jenn Hatfield

Jenn Hatfield is The Next's managing editor, Washington Mystics beat reporter and Ivy League beat reporter. She has been a contributor to The Next since December 2018. Her work has also appeared at FiveThirtyEight, Her Hoop Stats, FanSided, Power Plays, The Equalizer and Princeton Alumni Weekly.

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes extends her right arm to steal a lateral pass from a Connecticut Sun player.

Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes is chasing 100 steals — and WNBA history

September 2, 2023

Sykes, the two-time reigning steals champion, has been even more dangerous defensively this season

Washington Mystics forward Elena Delle Donne runs downcourt. She is looking to her right and smiling broadly.

With Elena Delle Donne’s return, Washington Mystics find joy and focus

August 27, 2023

‘To have the whole group out there felt so good, and I think you could just see it’

Washington Mystics center/forward Shakira Austin reaches with her right hand to contest a left-handed layup by New York Liberty guard Courtney Vandersloot.

How the Washington Mystics are evolving late in the season as stars get healthy

August 26, 2023

Mystics race to recapture on-court chemistry as clock ticks down to playoffs

Washington Mystics general manager Mike Thibault, Thomas Penson Jr. and Thomas Penson stand beside a framed jersey honoring Nikki McCray-Penson, the Pensons' late mother and wife.

‘A wonderful thing to witness’: Washington Mystics induct the late Nikki McCray-Penson into Hall of Fame

August 22, 2023

Former teammates paid tribute to McCray-Penson as current players absorbed a piece of Mystics history

Washington Mystics guard Ariel Atkins shoots a left-handed free throw.

Ariel Atkins signs two-year extension with Washington Mystics

August 15, 2023

A WNBA champion and All-Star, Atkins has spent her entire career in Washington

Washington Mystics center/forward Shakira Austin raises her left hand over her head and grins during a game against the Phoenix Mercury.

Shakira Austin’s return gives Washington Mystics desperately needed jolt

August 14, 2023

Austin’s return, Egbo’s efficiency show how good Mystics’ center rotation can be

Washington Mystics point guard Natasha Cloud is shown in a close-up photo, gazing down in front of her.

During a trying month, Natasha Cloud adapts as Mystics’ leader

August 13, 2023

Washington’s point guard works to balance the fiery and quieter sides of her leadership

Three side-by-side photos from practice: Kaitlyn Davis dribbles the ball with her right hand; McKenzie Forbes stands with her hands on her hips; and Kayla Padilla gets in a defensive stance.

‘A little Ivy power team’: How three Ivy League rivals are settling in at USC

August 12, 2023

Kaitlyn Davis, McKenzie Forbes and Kayla Padilla will all play for the Trojans as graduate transfers

Washington Mystics players Abby Meyers, Cyesha Goree, Linnae Harper and Elena Delle Donne stand and celebrate on the bench during a game. Meyers is shouting, and Delle Donne has her right hand in the air making the 3-point sign.

How Washington Mystics’ hardship players have seized an ‘opportunity of a lifetime’

August 4, 2023

Hard knock life? More like hardships life for the Mystics lately

With the arena dark for pregame introductions, Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes smiles and high-fives her teammates as her name is called.

‘Now look what I can do’: How Brittney Sykes has realized her potential with Washington Mystics

July 31, 2023

‘I’m in a place where what I see in the mirror, somebody else sees’