- 30 Second Timeout
- Posts
- Rookie Duo Dominance in Washington
Rookie Duo Dominance in Washington
July 30: The Mystics’ rookie duo shines, Deja Kelly will make her pro debut, and Jackie Young gets her very first triple-double.
April Abeyta & Kim Nunley
July 30, 2025
Did someone share this email with you? Get daily women’s basketball updates straight to your inbox. Sign up here!
Good morning! ☕️
A little women’s basketball history to start your day: On this date in 2002, Lisa Leslie threw down the first dunk in WNBA history.
What to Know About Women’s Basketball Today
1. Rookie Duo Goes Off in D.C. 👯
The rookies continue to light things up in Washington. Kiki Iriafen and Sonia Citron made Mystics history on Tuesday night by becoming the first pair of rookie teammates to each have 20 or more points in the same game. They combined for 50 points in Tuesday night’s 103–86 win over the Sky. (ESPN)
WHY IT MATTERS: This rookie class continues to impress. Both Iriafen and Citron earned All-Star honors this year, along with Dallas’ rookie phenom Paige Bueckers, and are putting up big numbers to help lead the Mystics into playoff contention after missing the cut last season.
Citron is averaging 14.2 points per game—second-highest on the team—and Iriafen leads the team in rebounding with 8.5 boards per game.
2. Deja Kelly Signs with Athletes Unlimited ✍️
Deja Kelly will have another shot at pro basketball. The former UNC and Oregon standout has signed on to play with Athletes Unlimited for the 2026 season. (Athletes Unlimited)
WHY IT MATTERS: After an impressive college career at North Carolina and Oregon, Kelly went undrafted in 2025 but signed a training camp contract with the Aces before being waived ahead of the season. With roster spots limited in the W, Athletes Unlimited is becoming a key pathway for talented players to continue developing their game.
The AU format gives players like Kelly a shot at the pros and keeps them playing on U.S. soil. Think of it as almost a mini G League for women’s hoops.
3. Jackie Young Joins the Triple-Double Club 🙌
Jackie Young notched the first triple-double of her WNBA career on Tuesday, finishing with 18 points, 11 rebounds, and 10 assists in the Aces’ win over the Sparks. (Las Vegas Aces)
WHY IT MATTERS: Triple-doubles are rare—this is only the fifth in the league this season. Young’s versatility allows her to impact a game in multiple ways, and she’s now only the second Aces player ever to record a triple-double (the first was Chelsea Gray in 2023).
Of course, Jackie deflected the praise postgame when asked how she did it, saying, “my teammates.”
OVERTIME ⏱️
Equal Pay Win: Germany’s basketball federation will now award equal prize money to the men’s and women’s national teams.
Players of the Week: Sabrina Ionescu and Dearica Hamby were named WNBA Players of the Week for the Eastern and Western Conferences, respectively.
Support the Players: Fans can wear their support for the WNBA player CBA negotiations with this new t-shirt.*
*We earn a small commission from sales, so every order helps support our coverage of women’s hoops.
Reply