Mystics Sign Charlotte Smith-Taylor

Smith-Taylor

Washington Mystics General Manager Linda Hargrove announced today that forward Charlotte Smith-Taylor has signed with the team as a free agent. Per company policy, terms of the contract will not be released. The team also added Cathy Joens to its training camp roster.

“Charlotte adds experience to our team after having been a starter for several years with the Sting” said Hargrove. “She is a versatile offensive player but is also strong defensively.”

Smith-Taylor comes to the Mystics after spending the last six seasons with the Charlotte Sting. In 2004, she started every game for the Sting and recorded a career-high in several categories such as minutes per game (28.7), point per game (8.2), and rebounds per game (4.10). Smith-Taylor also led the league in three-point field goal percentage (50%). She has made four post-season appearances with Charlotte (1999, 2001, 2002, and 2003). Prior to joining the Sting, Smith-Taylor spent three years in the ABL where she ranked ninth in rebounds (558) and was named to the All-Star Team.

A 1995 graduate from the University of North Carolina, Smith-Taylor led UNC to the 1994 NCAA championship game. She finished third in voting for the Naismith Award and received All-American honors from the Associated Press, U.S. Basketball Writer’s Association and Kodak/WBCA. Smith-Taylor has coached at her alma mater for the last three seasons.

Joens

Another addition to the training camp roster is Cathy Joens. She was selected in the third round (30th overall) of the 2004 WNBA draft by the New York Liberty. A 5-11, Guard from George Washington University, Joens was named the Atlantic-10 Player of the Year in 2003 and 2004 and was named to the conference’s first team in 2002, 2003, and 2004. She averaged 14.6 ppg and 4.6 rpg in her four-year career.

Washington will host the Los Angeles Sparks for its home preseason game on Tuesday, May 10th at 7:00 p.m. Tickets start at $ 9.50 and are currently on sale. Fans can purchase tickets by visiting the MCI Center Box Office or calling TicketMaster Phone Charge at (202) 397-SEAT

The 2005 Mystics season kicks off on Saturday, May 21st at 7:00 p.m. when the team travels to Charlotte to take on the Sting. Washington will have its home opener on Sunday, May 22nd at 6:00 p.m. versus Eastern Conference Champions Connecticut Sun. Season tickets and partial plans are currently available and can be purchased by calling (202) 661-5050