10:59 PM ET
Mechelle VoepelESPN.com
CloseMechelle Voepel covers the WNBA, women’s college basketball, and other college sports for espnW. Voepel began covering women’s basketball in 1984, and has been with ESPN since 1996.
The Washington Mystics were hoping for another player comeback after the recent return of Elena Delle Donne, but announced Tuesday that forward Emma Meesseman won’t return to the team this season.
Meesseman, the 2019 WNBA Finals MVP, has opted to rest after playing for the Belgian national team.
“The whole summer, I thought and believed I would join the Mystics again after the European Championship and the Olympics,” Meesseman said in a statement. “But it turns out the only right decision is to take some extra time for myself. I wish it was different because everybody knows I love the Mystics family. D.C. will continue to be my home away from home! I wish the team all the best and I’ll be rooting for them, like I always have.”
Meesseman was drafted by the Mystics in 2013 and has played seven seasons with the organization, including last year in the bubble in Bradenton, Florida. She has averaged 11.3 points and 5.3 rebounds in her WNBA career.
“We know this has been a long summer with her national team and understand her decision,” Mystics coach Mike Thibault said in a statement. “We hope she can enjoy the much-deserved time off and we look forward to possibly seeing her in a Mystics uniform next season. Emma will always be a part of the Mystics family.”
Delle Donne made her return Sunday after being out since the 2019 Finals with back issues. On Tuesday, she played her second game of this season, scoring 18 points in Washington’s 78-68 victory over Los Angeles.