The Washington Mystics announced the signing of rookie guard Stella Johnson on Thursday after the team fell below a 10-player roster threshold of active players.
Due to an injury to Aerial Powers that has already forced her to miss two games, the Mystics were down to only nine active players able to play in the WNBA bubble. The WNBA granted the Mystics an emergency hardship waiver as Powers' injury is expected to last a significant amount of time.
Washington needed the waiver to add to its roster as the team was up against the salary cap limits with Tina Charles opting out of the season and Elena Delle Donne recovering from her back procedure in D.C. Both are receiving max contracts.
RELATED: MYISHA HINES-ALLEN IS SEIZING HER MOMENT
Fortunately, Johnson is a player that has already been in the Bradenton, Fla within the confines of the bubble and is immediately eligible to play. The 29th pick of the 2020 draft by Phoenix Mercury played four games with the Chicago Sky. Johnson was waived by the team on August 12 and remained on the IMG Academy campus. Unlike signing players who are outside of the bubble, the 5-foot-10 guard does not have to go through another quarantine period.
Johnson played only six minutes in her four appearances while only recording one shot.
She a product of Rider University and the only player from the school to be drafted into the WNBA. With the Broncs, she became the program's all-time leading scorer while earning honors as an All-American.
MORE MYSTICS NEWS:
- Embarrassing: One of Thibault's worst losses ever
- Frustrated: Mystics offense looking for answers
- Team Bonding: Unexpected bubble benefit
Mystics sign rookie Stella Johnson through an emergency medical hardship waiver originally appeared on NBC Sports Washington
