A Letter from the Editor
Making space sounds simple.
In reality, it's one of the hardest things we can do.
Making space for a community to preserve its identity through change. Making space for new voices to lead. Making space for yourself amid expectations, pressure, and constant demands. Making space to learn, to fail, and to keep moving forward.
That's the thread connecting this issue of Inner Circle.
In our cover story, you'll meet the women who inspired the Washington Mystics 2026 Rebel Edition uniform. The women of U Street and Black Broadway made space for culture, creativity, and community to endure through decades of change. Their legacy isn't simply what they built. It's what they protected so future generations could continue building upon it.
You'll find that same spirit in our conversation with legendary Coach Muffet McGraw.
For decades, Muffet has been one of the most influential voices in women's basketball. Whether coaching championship teams or helping shape conversations about the sport as an ESPN analyst, she has consistently challenged the game to create more opportunities for women. Her message is clear: when you get a seat at the table, make space for someone else.
Muffet is also a longtime friend of the Mystics, and every year we're proud to join her and the Women's Sports Foundation in meeting with members of Congress to advocate for issues impacting girls and women in sports. Progress doesn't happen on its own. It happens because people continue creating opportunities and opening doors for those who come next.
You'll also hear from two members of the next generation.
Lauren Betts reflects on the importance of creating space for herself away from basketball—whether that's a drive with the music turned up, time to recharge, or simply remembering that her value extends beyond the game. Angela Dugalić offers a different perspective, one rooted in making space for imperfection, resilience, and the understanding that success isn't defined by a single outcome but by the person you're becoming along the way.
Different stories. Different experiences. One shared idea.
Every story in this issue begins with someone making room—for a community, for a new voice, for a different perspective, or for the next generation.
That's what drew us to these stories in the first place. They're also the kind of stories we hoped Inner Circle would be known for when we launched it a little more than a year ago: stories that help us understand the people behind the game and the communities that shape it.
This year, we're honored that those efforts were recognized when Inner Circle received the Fans' Voice Award for Best Athlete Storytelling at the 8th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards, making this publication officially award-winning.
Awards are great, but what I've always appreciated most about Inner Circle is the opportunity to tell stories like these.
Stories that remind us where we come from. Stories that challenge us to think differently. Stories that introduce us to people we admire and help us understand them a little better.
I hope you'll find something in these pages that stays with you—a perspective, a lesson, a moment, or maybe just a reminder of the many ways people create space for one another every day. Especially within the Mystics family.
Thanks for making space for these stories. We're grateful to have you here.
ALYCEN MCAULEY
Chief Business Officer,
Washington Mystics
We welcome your feedback at InnerCircle@WashMystics.com
A Letter from the Editor
Making space sounds simple.
In reality, it's one of the hardest things we can do.
Making space for a community to preserve its identity through change. Making space for new voices to lead. Making space for yourself amid expectations, pressure, and constant demands. Making space to learn, to fail, and to keep moving forward.
That's the thread connecting this issue of Inner Circle.
In our cover story, you'll meet the women who inspired the Washington Mystics 2026 Rebel Edition uniform. The women of U Street and Black Broadway made space for culture, creativity, and community to endure through decades of change. Their legacy isn't simply what they built. It's what they protected so future generations could continue building upon it.
You'll find that same spirit in our conversation with legendary Coach Muffet McGraw.
For decades, Muffet has been one of the most influential voices in women's basketball. Whether coaching championship teams or helping shape conversations about the sport as an ESPN analyst, she has consistently challenged the game to create more opportunities for women. Her message is clear: when you get a seat at the table, make space for someone else.
Muffet is also a longtime friend of the Mystics, and every year we're proud to join her and the Women's Sports Foundation in meeting with members of Congress to advocate for issues impacting girls and women in sports. Progress doesn't happen on its own. It happens because people continue creating opportunities and opening doors for those who come next.
You'll also hear from two members of the next generation.
Lauren Betts reflects on the importance of creating space for herself away from basketball—whether that's a drive with the music turned up, time to recharge, or simply remembering that her value extends beyond the game. Angela Dugalić offers a different perspective, one rooted in making space for imperfection, resilience, and the understanding that success isn't defined by a single outcome but by the person you're becoming along the way.
Different stories. Different experiences. One shared idea.
Every story in this issue begins with someone making room—for a community, for a new voice, for a different perspective, or for the next generation.
That's what drew us to these stories in the first place. They're also the kind of stories we hoped Inner Circle would be known for when we launched it a little more than a year ago: stories that help us understand the people behind the game and the communities that shape it.
This year, we're honored that those efforts were recognized when Inner Circle received the Fans' Voice Award for Best Athlete Storytelling at the 8th Annual Hashtag Sports Awards, making this publication officially award-winning.
Awards are great, but what I've always appreciated most about Inner Circle is the opportunity to tell stories like these.
Stories that remind us where we come from. Stories that challenge us to think differently. Stories that introduce us to people we admire and help us understand them a little better.
I hope you'll find something in these pages that stays with you—a perspective, a lesson, a moment, or maybe just a reminder of the many ways people create space for one another every day. Especially within the Mystics family.
Thanks for making space for these stories. We're grateful to have you here.
ALYCEN MCAULEY
Chief Business Officer,
Washington Mystics
We welcome your feedback at InnerCircle@WashMystics.com