Mystics Pick a Winner!

1992 Stanford University National Championship Team

[Photo courtesy of Stanford Athletics]

Moments ago, the Mystics announced in an email to season ticket holders that Angela Taylor has been named the team's new General Manager.

Angela brings 12 seasons of WNBA experience -- and a very impressive résumé -- to her new job with the Mystics. She's been with the league since its launch in 1997, spending ten seasons working in the WNBA League Front Office in the area of player personnel. In July 2006, she moved to the Minnesota Lynx to become Vice President of Business Operations.

Angela began her WNBA career in New York in 1997 as the League's Coordinator of Player Personnel. In 2005, following several other promotions, she was elevated to Senior Director, Player Personnel. In that position, Angela was primarily responsible for the WNBA's collegiate and international player evaluation as well as other player-personnel matters. Since player evaluation is critical to the success of any GM, we're delighted that Angela already has experience in that area.

Before moving to the WNBA, Angela spent a total of 4 seasons as an Assistant Basketball Coach at Stanford University, Texas A&M and the University of Arizona. But Angela's most impressive credential, as far as the BasketCases are concerned, is that in her 4 years playing basketball at Stanford University, she won TWO NATTYS! Let us repeat that. TWO NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS!! Angela and her Cardinal teammates won their first Championship in 1990 and their second in 1992! (Which certainly makes her a winner in our book!) So not only does Angela have WNBA experience, not only has she been a successful player, but she's also worked with some outstanding -- and successful -- coaches, which hopefully will prepare her well for making that all-important decision about who will coach the Mystics in 2009 and beyond!

Angela also has a very solid academic record: she received her undergraduate degree from Stanford in 1993, and while working for the WNBA in New York, earned an MBA from NYU's Stern School of Business in 2002. The BasketCases tend to like smart people . . . and Angela clearly seems to fit the bill.

Right now, while Angela Taylor may not be a household name among fans, we believe that among veteran players, WNBA coaches, GMs and (no doubt) the WNBA League Front Office, she is very well known and very highly regarded. Here in D.C., she faces a formidable task. Turning around the fortunes of the Mystics isn't going to be easy and it isn't going to be quick. However, the BasketCases are hopeful that under Angela's leadership, a winning attitude will take root and begin to grow here in Washington. We'd like to extend our personal welcome to new GM Angela Taylor, and we wish her all the best.