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Every week, across several sports, players around the DMV (D.C./Maryland/Virginia) shine in individual performance. Every Monday, I’d like to take a minute to highlight some of those performances, including what I view as the best performance and name that athlete the “DMV Star of the Week.”
This week’s DMV Star of the Week is Washington Mystics Center Shakira Austin.
The forward out of Ole Miss is in her fourth WNBA season and has been terrific for the Mystics in that span.
In each of the last two seasons entering 2023, Austin averaged in double figures in scoring, including scoring 18.6 PPG and hauling in 9.1 RPG in 2022.
This season, the Mystics are off to a 5-3 start, including back-to-back road wins in Seattle. A big reason why Washington was able to secure both wins on the West Coast were the performances from Austin.
In Friday’s 73-66 victory, Austin scored 15 points and grabbed 11 rebounds. The stellar performance was her fourth double-double in a row and fifth in the last six games.
Two days later, the Mystics won again, this time 71-65 as Austin dropped in 11 points and hauled in 9 rebounds.
Yes, the Mystics are 5-3 and it is early, but all three of their losses were by single digits. The team is competitive every time they take the court and could be in for a big season.
The DMV saw four teams in action this past week, including the Washington Nationals, D.C. United, Washington Spirit, and Washington Mystics
Here are some honorable mention performances for DMV Star of the Week:
Washington Spirit Forward Ashley Hatch scored yet another goal in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Angel City. It’s her sixth goal of the season, which is tied for second most in the NWSL
Washington Nationals Left Fielder Stone Garrett hit a grand slam home run in Tuesday’s 10-5 loss to Arizona
Here’s what’s coming up this week in DMV Sports:
Washington Nationals (26-38, 5th in NL East, 13.5 GB)
6/13 @ Houston
6/14 @ Houston
6/15 @ Houston
6/16 vs. Miami
6/17 vs. Miami
6/18 vs. Miami
D.C. United: (6-5-7, 23 points, 8th in Eastern Conference)
6/17 vs. Real Salt Lake
Washington Spirit: (5-5-1, 20 points, 2nd in NWSL)
6/14 vs. North Carolina (NWSL Challenge Cup - Group Stage)
6/18 @ Kansas City
Washington Mystics: (5-3, 3rd in Eastern Conference)
6/13 @ Indiana
6/16 vs. Phoenix
6/18 vs. Chicago
*Denotes games I will be covering in-person