Michaela Onyenwere is enjoying a bounce‑back season with the Washington Mystics, posting a career‑high 12.7 points per game and starting every game so far this year.
The 2021 sixth‑overall draft pick burst onto the scene as the WNBA Rookie of the Year, but the following seasons saw her talent underutilized, leading to a stint abroad and a brief coaching role at UCLA.
During her year as an assistant at UCLA, Onyenwere helped the Bruins capture their first national championship and earned a salary of $205,000 — more than she had made in the WNBA.
Her performance earned her a two‑year contract with the Mystics worth more than $1.4 million, a deal that reflects both her market value and the team’s confidence in her development.
A Homecoming in New York
Onyenwere says she is grateful for the consistency of her current role, noting that New York has always felt like home despite the move to Washington.
The Liberty, who secured a spot in the Commissioner’s Cup final, will host the Aces at Barclays Center on June 30, setting the stage for a high‑stakes showdown.
Betnijah Laney‑Hamilton was out for Friday’s game due to left knee management, a routine rest that underscores the physical demands of a packed schedule.