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WASHINGTON MYSTICS 2003 Results: The Mystics finished 9-25, (.265, 7th in East). Roster | Stats | 2004 Schedule Head coach: Michael Adams enters his first season with the team. Purchase Mystics tickets now!

2004 Probable Starters: C: Chasity Melvin PF: Chamique Holdsclaw SF: Stacey Dales-Schuman SG: Alana Beard PG: Coco Miller

2004 Draft Results: Rd. 1: Alana Beard Rd. 2: Kaayla Chones Rd. 3: Evan Unrau D.D.*: Chasity Melvin

2003 Leaders: Points Chamique Holdsclaw, 20.5 ppg Rebs. Chamique Holdsclaw, 10.9 rpg Assts. S. Dales-Schuman, 3.4 apg Blocks Asjha Jones, 0.74 bpg Steals Chamique Holdsclaw, 1.26 spg

They Said It: "We have to take out the balls, and put them back on the racks afterwards. And when the veterans come into the training room, we have to wait. Veterans get taped first. That’s just the way it is, and the way it should be. This league was here long before me." --Alana Beard, on life as a rookie with the Mystics.

VGM Prospect: Alana Beard What didn't Beard do at Duke? During her senior year, she averaged 19.7 ppg, 5.4 rpg, 3.8 apg, 2.35 spg and 1.35 bpg. Regardless of where she plays, she has the chance to be that most coveted of fantasy finds: a five-category player. WNBA.com Virtual GM

(*-Denotes "Dispersal Draft")

Given the Mystics' highly disappointing 2003 season, it's easy to forget that this is a team that finished as runners-up in the Eastern Conference in 2002. But despite last year's struggles, this is still a strong team that boasts an intriguing mix of youth and experience.

Holdsclaw

Naturally, in Washington it all starts with talented forward Chamique Holdsclaw. When healthy, Holdsclaw -- who missed seven games last season due to injury -- is one of the league's best frontcourt players. In 2003, she emerged as a 20-10 player, and while she'll be hard-pressed to match those numbers again this season, she still holds her place among the game's elite.

Complementing Holdsclaw from the perimeter are markswomen Stacey Dales-Schuman and Coco Miller. The pair combined for 89 3-pointers in 2003, and are capable of stretching the defense enough to give Holdsclaw room to operate in the low post.

The Mystics' outside game should also get a boost from the arrival of new head coach Michael Adams. Adams, a former Bullets star who was renowned as an undersized, shoot-first point guard, is infectiously energetic. He should have an uplifting effect on his squad, especially during the opening weeks of the season.

Adams

But the most celebrated new arrival in the nation's capital comes in the form of a 5-11 swingwoman from Duke University. Alana Beard -- taken with the second pick in the 2003 Draft -- is an incredibly talented player who would have been the top pick any other year (thank you very much, Ms. Diana Taurasi).

In Beard, the Mystics now have a second star to play alongside Holdsclaw. The former Blue Devil's forte is scoring, but her all-around skills are truly remarkable, meaning she should have plenty of room to grow even more as a player. Simply stated, she's the kind of player who can take over a game by herself.

Beard isn't the only new arrival who should have an immediate impact, however. Center Chasity Melvin was a valuable pick-up in the offseason Dispersal Draft. Melvin, who averaged 13.1 points and 6.3 rebounds with Cleveland last season, will provide the Mystics with a solid low-post presence. She should also go a long way in protecting Holdsclaw in the key.

Washington also traded for Phoenix's Tamicha Jackson, a fleet-footed point guard who gives the Mystics plenty of depth in the backcourt. Jackson, for one, couldn't have been more excited to get the chance to play for the fans in Washington.

"The first thing that I thought of when I heard about the trade is that the fans there are great,” said Jackson. “I’ve had the opportunity to play in DC as a visitor a couple of times, and I always thought that those were some great fans. Washington has always been an exciting place to play.”

Thanks to the arrival of Jackson, Melvin, a new coach and a super rook, hoops fans in Washington might have to rework their definition of "excitement."

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