WASHINGTON — WNBA Finals MVP Emma Meesseman is staying in Washington.
The Mystics re-signed the forward on Monday.
“Emma re-signing is a huge step for our team. Having one of the top players in the world back for the upcoming season gives us a lot of options in how we play,” Mystics coach and GM Mike Thibault said. “It’s a great feeling for a coach to have a Finals MVP and a league MVP in Elena Delle Donne lining up opposite each other on the court. I can’t wait to get started again.”
She averaged 13.1 points, 4.2 rebounds and a career-best 3.2 assists last season while shooting 55% from the field. She raised her game in the playoffs, averaging 19.3 points to help Washington defeat the Connecticut Sun to win its first title.
Emma Meesseman, in her sixth season with the Mystics, stepped up her game in the WNBA Finals. Juan Ocampo/NBAE via Getty Images
“D.C. is my home away from home, so I am so happy to be back with the team and organization,” Meesseman said. “I look forward to playing in ESA again with the best fans. Let’s get another one!!!”
Meesseman, 26, holds career averages of 11.2 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.2 assists in 182 games (130 starts) with the Mystics. She also ranks second in franchise field goal shooting (52.1 percent).
A native of Belgium, Meesseman returned to the Mystics last season after missing all of the 2018 season to play for the Belgium national team. She helped it qualify for the Olympics earlier this month.
Meesseman was drafted 19th by the Mystics in 2013.
Washington re-signed league MVP Delle Donne last week to a four-year deal, but lost star guard Kristi Toliver to free agency.