Washington Mystics re-sign Hawkins, Hightower and Sanders

The Washington Mystics officially announced three signings in a release on Friday. Tianna Hawkins, Allison Hightower and LaToya Sanders have re-signed with the club.

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Hawkins, a restricted free agent, played the biggest role of the three for the Mystics last season as a reserve forward. Hawkins selected by Seattle with the sixth overall pick in the 2013 WNBA Draft, and she played collegiately at Maryland.

“Tianna has improved each year that she has been in Washington and we are confident that will continue,” said Mystics head coach and general manager Mike Thibault in Friday’s release. “She was a big part of our post rotation last season and she is working hard this off-season on adding more to her game. I look forward to a great season from Tianna this summer.”

Thibault may be referring to further development of Hawkins’ three-point stroke. Hawkins has been a valuable floor spacer, shooting better than 47% from the field in each of her three seasons in Washington. Hawkins’ three-point attempts have also increased in each of her three seasons with the Mystics.

Hightower, an unrestricted free agent, signed on with the Mystics July 28 through the end of the 2017 season. She was selected 15th overall by the Connecticut Sun in the 2010 WNBA Draft, and was named to the 2013 WNBA All-Star team. Hightower has battled through multiple injuries in her career. Prior to her 2017 time with the Mystics, she last played in the WNBA in 2014 for the Sun.

“Alley was a very welcome addition to our roster late last season,” Thibault said. “Even though she wasn’t back to 100% health, she gave us a much-needed boost as we made our playoff push. Her ability to play multiple guard spots at both ends of the floor and her veteran experience in big games was essential to our success.”

The Mystics also announced the signing of 6’3 forward LaToya Sanders, who played for the Mystics in 2015 and 2016. She did not play in the WNBA in 2017 after suffering. a foot injury.

“It is great to have LaToya returning to the Mystics this season. The year off to have surgery and heal from her lingering injuries has allowed her to return to being the kind of player she expects of herself,” stated Thibault. “LaToya is one of the premier defenders in the WNBA and her veteran presence and leadership will be a welcome addition to our team.”

Related Story: Washington Mystics Offseason Primer

The Mystics announced the signing of unrestricted free agent Monique Currie on Thursday. The team announced Wednesday that forward Emma Meesseman will miss the 2018 WNBA season. Accounting for Meesseman’s absence, Washington now has ten players on its roster.