The Washington Mystics selected forward Aaliyah Edwards from the University of Connecticut with the sixth overall pick in the 2024 WNBA Draft. The Mystics also selected Kaylynne Truong with the 21st pick and Nastja Claessens with the 30th pick.
“We are really excited to draft Aaliyah Edwards,” said General Manager Mike Thibault. “We needed to select a player who complements Shakira Austin in our front court. Her competitiveness, high-end defensive motor and fast improving offensive game will fit well with what we are trying to build for our culture and future success.”
Edwards (6-3) averaged 17.6 points, 9.2 rebounds, 2.1 assists, and 1.7 steals per game with the Huskies while shooting .593 from the field in 37 games (all starts) as a senior this past season. She also totaled 18 double-doubles and was named Big East player of the week twice in 2023-24.
The Canada native scored 24 points in the NCAA Elite Eight on Apr. 1 vs. USC and had a career-high five steals in the Final Four vs. Iowa on Apr. 5. Edwards finished her collegiate career ranked 15th in school history with 1,861 career points, eighth in rebounds with 1,020, sixth in double-doubles with 35, and was the sixth player in program history with 1,800 career points and 1,000 rebounds.
In addition to earning multiple player of the week nods, Edwards was also named to the 2024 Big East First Team. Additionally, she earned multiple honors including: a 2024 AP All-America honorable mention, a 2024 USBWA Second Team nod, was a top-10 finalist for 2024 WBCA All-America as well as the 2024 Wooden Award.
During her junior season, she was named the 2023 Big East Most Improved Player, 2023 All-Big East First Team and was on the 2023 AP Third Team. As a freshman, Edwards was named the 2021 Big East Sixth Woman of the Year in addition to being on the 2021 Big East All-Freshman Team.
In international competition, Edwards has been a member of the Canadian senior national team since she was 16 years old and was the youngest member of the Canadian team during her Olympic debut in Tokyo 2020.
While some fans wanted Angel Reese who was still on the board, Thibault noted that they chose Edwards because she complements their current roster.
Truong (5-8) appeared in 36 games (all starts) for Gonzaga as a fifth-year senior during the 2023-24 season, averaging 11.4 points, career-best 5.8 assists, 2.3 rebounds, and 1.3 steals per game while shooting .422 from three-point range.
The Houston, Texas, native led the Bulldogs in assists per game, and her 208 assists during the 2023-24 season are the fourth-most in a single season in Bulldogs women’s basketball history. She ranked second on the team in total three-point field goals made (93) and three-point percentage.
She leaves Gonzaga second in three-point field goals made (280) and assists (623).
Claessens (6-0) has appeared in eight games for the top-division of the Royal Castors Braine in the Belgian Women’s Basketball League. During the 2023-24 season, she has averaged 14.5 points, 4.5 rebounds, 2.0 assists, and 1.3 steals per game.
In five Eurocup games for Castors Braine, she averaged 12.8 points 2.6 rebounds, 2.4 assists, and 1.4 steals per game while shooting .526 from three-point range.
The 19-year-old has been a member of the Belgium National Team since 2019 and most recently competed with the national team in the 2024 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament in Antwerp, Belgium.