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Alexa PhilippouApr 13, 2026, 09:08 PM<\/p>\n
Close<\/a>Covers women’s college basketball and the WNBA Multiple Authors<\/p>\n Restricted free agent Shakira Austin<\/a> is returning to the Washington Mystics<\/a> on a three-year deal worth $3.57 million, sources told ESPN on Monday.<\/p>\n Austin, 25, the 2025 Associated Press Comeback Player of the Year, had signed an offer sheet with the Toronto Tempo<\/a> with those terms but Washington matched them to retain one of its budding stars.<\/p>\n Had Washington decided to not match Toronto’s offer, Austin would have automatically joined the expansion team, which so far has signed or acquired players including Marina Mabrey<\/a>, Brittney Sykes<\/a>, Julie Allemand<\/a> and Isabelle Harrison<\/a>.<\/p>\n “We are thrilled to welcome Shakira Austin back to Washington,” coach Sydney Johnson said in a statement. “Shakira had a strong season last year, making progress on both ends of the floor. We look forward to her continuing to build upon that success.”<\/p>\n Editor’s Picks<\/p>\n 2 Related<\/p>\n The Mystics selected Austin third in the 2022 draft, and she finished second in Rookie of the Year voting.<\/p>\n For her career, she has averaged 10.7 points, 6.6 rebounds and 1.0 blocks.<\/p>\n Austin’s best season came in 2025, when she played a career-high 38 games after being limited to just 12 in 2024 due to injury. The 6-foot-5 center averaged 12.7 points (a career high), 6.4 rebounds and 1.8 assists.<\/p>\n The Mystics are building around a young core that includes Austin and 2025 lottery picks Kiki Iriafen<\/a> and Sonia Citron<\/a>, both of whom made the All-Star team as rookies.<\/p>\n
\nPreviously covered UConn and the WNBA Connecticut Sun for the Hartford Courant
\nStanford graduate and Baltimore native with further experience at the Dallas Morning News, Seattle Times and Cincinnati Enquirer<\/p>\n