Ariel Atkins

Ariel Atkins draws on a dry erase board with her left hand, and players surround her, watching intently.

Inside Ariel Atkins’ coaching stint at the NBA Academy Women’s Camp Latin America

By Jenn Hatfield / January 20, 2023

For Atkins, it was a chance to try out coaching — and give back to her sport

Four pictures in a collage: on the left, Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart, mid-air, leaps from under the rim to Dallas Wing big Isabelle Harrison and blocks Harrison's shot with her fingertips; on the top-right, Las Vegas Aces center A'ja Wilson extends a hand up and out to deter a shot while keeping her back between Minnesota Lynx center Sylvia Fowles and the basket, as Fowles catches the ball just outside Wilson's reach; on the bottom-left, Connecticut Sun big wing Alyssa Thomas keeps a hand on the side of Washington big wing Elena Delle Donne while they jockey for post position

The Next’s 2022 WNBA Awards: Defensive Player of the Year and All-Defense

By Emily Adler / September 2, 2022

Breanna Stewart rises to the top

Mystics

Locked on Women’s Basketball: What’s next for Elena Delle Donne, Alysha Clark and the Washington Mystics?

By The Next / August 25, 2022

Howard and Jenn discuss how the Mystics’ first-round playoff series ended too quickly and more

USA Basketball

USA Basketball invites 28 athletes to pre-World Cup camp

By Scott Mammoser / August 23, 2022

Las Vegas event will determine who goes to Sydney

Washington Mystics point guard Natasha Cloud high-fives her teammates as she is introduced in the starting lineup before a game against the Seattle Storm at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., on July 30, 2022. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra)

‘Warrior’ Natasha Cloud can’t save Washington Mystics from painful playoff exit

By Jenn Hatfield / August 23, 2022

‘They were just a little bit better all the way around’

Washington Mystics forward Myisha Hines-Allen drives to the basket during a game against the Las Vegas Aces at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., on Aug. 2, 2022. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra)

How Washington’s Myisha Hines-Allen found her footing in a season of adjustments

By Jenn Hatfield / August 18, 2022

Hines-Allen has filled practically every role for the Mystics this season, and now she’s putting them all together to be her best self

Washington Mystics point guard Rui Machida laughs on the bench during a game against the Atlanta Dream at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., on June 28, 2022. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra)

‘A phenomenal, phenomenal human being’: How the Mystics celebrate Rui Machida

By Jenn Hatfield / July 19, 2022

‘When she comes into the game, it’s energy’

Washington Mystics wing Alysha Clark runs with her palms facing the sky during a game against the Connecticut Sun at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Washington, D.C., on June 19, 2022. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra)

‘She’s everywhere’: Inside the elite defense of Alysha Clark

By Jenn Hatfield / July 12, 2022

On a Mystics team with several all-WNBA defenders, Clark is ‘head of our snake’

Seattle Storm big wing Breanna Stewart leans back with the ball high above her head as she begins to shoot a fadeaway jumper, while New York Liberty big Natasha Howard leans toward her with an arm outstretched to try to block the shot.

The Next’s 2022 WNBA midseason awards

By Emily Adler / July 11, 2022

Stewart, Wilson in tight MVP race; Howard leads ROY pack

Washington Mystics guards Ariel Atkins (left) and Natasha Cloud celebrate on the bench during a game against the Atlanta Dream on June 28, 2022. (Photo credit: Domenic Allegra)

Ariel Atkins’ All-Star selection reflects how she has quietly continued to improve

By Jenn Hatfield / June 30, 2022

Mystics react to Atkins’ All-Star nod, Delle Donne and Cloud’s snubs