Emily Engstler of the Mystics talks about how hard it is to get on a WNBA roster [Exclusive] 

Emily Engstler of the Mystics talks about how hard it is to get on a WNBA roster [Exclusive]

Emily Engstler of the Mystics talks about how hard it is to get on a WNBA roster [Exclusive]

The Women’s National Basketball Association

(WNBA) is perhaps the hardest professional

sports league to enter into, with only 12 teams

and 144 vacant roster spots. Emily Engstler, a

forward for the Washington Mystics, is one of the

players in the WNBA right now who is most

familiar with those difficulties. Emily Engstler

was a lottery pick, No. 4 overall in the 2022

WNBA Draft, by the Indiana Fever. Despite a

solid rookie season during which she appeared

in 35 games averaging 5.2 points and 5.2

rebounds while shooting 35.6 percent from

three-point range, the Fever decided to cut

Engstler ahead of the 2023 season. She played for

the Minnesota Lynx on a hardship deal for the

most of the 2023 season, then on a seven-day

contract. If two or more players are unavailable,

WNBA teams may sign players to hardship

contracts in excess of the maximum roster size of

twelve. An injured or absent player’s hardship

contract is automatically terminated upon their

return to the active roster. The 2023 season was

just a month old when Engstler signed her first

hardship deal with the Lynx. While waiting for a

call, Engstler took sure to occupy her mind to

avoid feeling anxious about the situation. In an

exclusive interview with ClutchPoints, Engstler

said, “If you’re at home waiting on a call or

something like that, if this is what you want, the

best thing for you to do is make sure you’re

getting in the gym every other day, working out,

lifting, and staying in shape because you never

know when it’s gonna happen.” Additionally,

going to spend time with family and without

worrying about it should be prioritised. Your

diligence will pay off. it can be hard but I think

it’s worth the overall outcome at the end of the

day.” Emily Engstler was waived by the Fever

during 2023 training camp, and the Mystics

signed her to a camp contract right away. Despite

having a strong camp, she was left off of the

Mystics’ final roster. With the Lynx offering her a

hardship contract, Engstler was once more a free

agent coming into the 2024 campaign. When this

year’s training camp rolled around, Engstler

found herself in familiar territory; in camp with

the Mystics. She was on a non-guaranteed camp

contract and was facing the exact same situation

from the year before, having to make the regular

season roster out of camp. Although Engslter

admitted to experiencing anxiety when

competing in camp, she was adamant about

letting her play speak for itself. It makes me

anxious and a little anxious. You can speak with

Coach E [Eric Thibault] and Coach Mike [Mike

Thibault]. Coach Mike had advised me to

“breathe Emily” at training camp the previous

two years. Play your game; you know we like

you. However, you’re anxious at the end of the

day, Engstler remarked. “I believe that the more

years I spent in the league and the second year I

entered training camp gave me the confidence to

relax. Just let your talent speak for itself to avoid

being overly anxious.” There comes a time and

place for everyone’s career to succeed”.

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