Lucy Olsen discusses WNBA rookie adjustment with Washington Mystics

After serving as the primary ballhandler for the Iowa women’s basketball team last season, Washington Mystics’ rookie guard Lucy Olsen discussed the adjustment she’s been forced to make as the former Hawkeyes star behind her WNBA career as a bench role player.

Following practice on Friday, Olsen spoke about the transition, saying the tough adjustments are expected for a rookie in the WNBA. She also stated that she has learned on the fly from some of the more experienced Mystics players on how to acclimate herself to the league.

Advertisement

“I think it’s been an adjustment for sure, but coming in as a rookie, that’s kind of what you have in your mind,” Olsen said. “Things won’t always be the same as it was in college. I think just learning from all the vets, and I’m with so many skilled players that I can learn from them every day, even if I’m not getting on the floor in the game. Practice is always intense, and I think just taking it as a learning experience and moving on from there.”

While Olsen has started her career averaging just 9:18 of playing time per game through nine of the Mystics’ 10 games this season, she has made a positive impact for the team offensively when inserted into the game.

When asked what has helped her make such an impact during her limited minutes off the bench so far, Olsen said that the coaches and teammates’ confidence in her to deliver results has been a driving motivation.

“I think it’s the confidence that my teammates and coaches give me, like, they’re putting me in the game for a reason. So, just go out, have fun, and try to do the best I can for them.”

Advertisement

Through her nine games played, Olsen has averaged 2.9 points on 40.9% from the field, 45.5% from 3-point territory, and 75% from the free-throw line, in addition to 1.1 rebounds, 0.9 assists, 0.1 blocks, and 0.1 steals per contest.

When asked where she has seen the most advancement in her game since being drafted by Washington in April, Olsen pointed to her off-ball skills as the most impacted area, such as her ability to execute catch-and-shoot 3-pointers more efficiently.

“I think playing off the ball more. I was a point guard my whole life, so playing off the ball because we have such talented ones here, I think that’s probably what I’ve improved on, like my catch-and-shoot three,” Olsen said.

In terms of who she has learned the most from during her time in Washington, she lauded Mystics’ veteran center, Stephanie Dolson, for being a mentor to her.

Advertisement

“I think probably Steph [Stephanie Dolson]. Like, she’s been in the league for a while and she just has little tidbits here and there that’s, like, such a vet move, and I’m like, ‘I would have never thought of that’. So just hearing those little things and just how she comes in every day and gets to work is efficient and also has fun with it, so I love that.”

Olsen’s next opportunity to showcase her skills will be Sunday when the Mystics (4-5) host the Atlanta Dream (7-3) at CareFirst Arena in Washington, DC. The game will begin at 1 p.m. CT and be broadcast on CBS Sports Network.

Contact/Follow us @HawkeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Iowa news, notes, and opinions. Follow Scout on X: @SpringgateNews

This article originally appeared on Hawkeyes Wire: Lucy Olsen discusses WNBA rookie adjustment with Washington Mystics