WNBA franchises are keeping a close eye on their star players in other leagues, exploring different avenues to make them even better players on the court. One such star who made a huge name for herself in the 3-on-3 league would be Shakira Austin.
The player won the AP Comeback Player Of The Year Award in the last season for her output on the court. Though her award couldn’t put the Mystics in the playoffs, the accolade was certainly an honor for her resilience on the court. Now, it’s time to take a step forward for the franchise, and her current form could be a massive push for the side.
Shakira Austin Puts Washington Mystics On Alert
The 25-year-old star enters the 2025 restricted free agency with hope and shared a post showing her positive attitude after an early-season wrap-up. In Unrivaled, though, the star is stealing the spotlight with her offensive game.
While her coach sees huge potential in her, the payer said, “I definitely agree that I haven’t scratched the surface at all with what I can do. I’ve just been playing with a great point guard. I haven’t really played with one in a long time. So, just getting some easy stuff, but there’s definitely a lot more that I want to capitalize on.”
FINAL 🌹
— ROSE BC 🌹🏆 (@RoseBCUpdates) January 12, 2026
Chelsea Gray – 37 PTS | 5 REB | 4 AST
Shakira Austin – 17 PTS | 8 REB | 67% FG
Azura Stevens – 12 PTS | 6 REB | 1 AST
HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THIS TEAM??? GRIT, TOUGHNESS, AND A WHOLE LOT OF BELT. 3-0 TO START THE SEASON AND WE AIN'T LETTIN UP! pic.twitter.com/5WFSAcXz0W
One thing that changed the game for the forward was playing alongside an elite playmaker, Chelsea Gray. Her playmaking and pinpoint passing helped the Rose BC win the title last season, and the Aces also rely on the veteran guard to initiate the offense. If the Mystics look to copy the success, they can add a playmaker of similar traits to make Shakira Austin an offensive beast on the floor.
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Incidentally, among potentially available young players, Olivia Miles might be the closest purely from a passing standpoint. The Mystics have the 4th overall pick in the upcoming draft and could add the playmaker to help their talented wing and forward control the floor.
As much as she is thriving on the floor with her elite offensive and playmaking ability, one particular moment in the league also made headlines: in a flow, she used a curse word on live TV.
Shakira Austin’s Slip Of Tongue Makes Headline
Even after a strong lead in the game, the Rose BC had to push for the win against the Vinyl BC in the recent matchup. The win was a symbolic one, highlighting the defending champion’s early dominance and then recent struggles. So the Mystics’ star was all hyped up after the game.
In the interview, talking about team mentality in tough situations, she said, “We never gave up. It was a tough stretch of losses, but we just put our head down, continued to work, continued to figure this sh*t out…”
Shakira Austin forgot that we were on live television 💀 pic.twitter.com/SAqh7kimom
— WNBA Got Game (@wnbagotgame) February 8, 2026
When the crowd in the arena made noses over her use of a curse word, the forward corrected herself, apologizing for the mishap. Yet the fans kept on cheering, making her answer even more epic.