The Washington Times
Monday, December 23, 2024
The Washington Mystics have hired former Chicago Sky assistant Sydney Johnson as their new coach and tapped former WNBA player Jamila Wideman as general manager, the franchise announced Monday.
The Mystics were the last WNBA team to fill their leadership vacancies this offseason after parting ways with the father-son duo of Mike and Eric Thibault, the former general manager and coach, following a 14-26 campaign.
“Jamila’s breadth of experience, range of core competencies, and passion for developing the whole athlete, make her the ideal person to usher in the new era of Mystics Basketball. … ” Monumental Basketball President Michael Winger said in a statement. “Similarly, Sydney brings an exceptional combination of acumen, tenacity, and empathy that will elevate our play and galvanize the team around the new direction for this championship franchise.”
Johnson will bring 25 years of coaching experience with him to the District. The 50-year-old most recently worked with the Sky, but previously served as a coach for the Princeton and Fairfield men’s basketball teams. Earlier this year, he led the Team USA women’s three-on-three squad to a second-place finish at the FIBA 3×3 AmeriCup in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
“As a team, we will carry the core values that drive this franchise — excellence, togetherness, joy, competitiveness, and accountability through everything we do,” Johnson said. “From the way we practice and play to how we show up in the community and engage and inspire our fanbase.”
The return to Washington is something of a homecoming for Johnson, who grew up in the Baltimore area. The 50-year-old started his coaching career as an assistant on John Thompson III’s staff at Georgetown in 2004.
Wideman was part of the inaugural WNBA draft class in 1997 as the Los Angeles Sparks selected her with the third pick. She averaged 2.2 points per game during her WNBA career before earning a law degree from New York University and working as a criminal rights lawyer for 10 years.
Mystics team in partnership with the players, coaches, and staff that reflects this core,” she said. “I hope to create a space where player voices and aspirations are centered in all we do on and off the court. We will build with intention, humanity, and joy.”
The building process begins with the free agency period, which opens in February, and the 2025 WNBA draft in April. The Mystics hold the fourth and sixth picks in the first round.
“I am energized by the vision Michael, Jamila and Sydney have for instilling and driving a culture of performance, achievement, empathy, and innovation for many years to come,” Mystics owner Ted Leonsis said. “Today’s appointments of Jamila and Sydney represent a pivotal moment for the Mystics and our fans.”
The Mystics’ 2025 season begins on May 16 at the Entertainment and Sports Arena in Southeast against the Atlanta Dream.
