That is the question many fans are asking themselves since the close
of the 2003 season. WNBA Players use the off-season to recover,
recuperate, and sharpen their skills for the upcoming season. Many do
this by choosing to play overseas in international basketball
leagues. Several of the Washington Mystics players packed their bags
after the final game of the season and headed to countries all over
the world to continue playing. Mystics Head Coach Marianne Stanley
feels that playing overseas gives the players "a chance to continue
playing competitive basketball. There are pressure situations in
games that cannot be replicated in practice. It also helps them grow
and broaden their horizons."

Coming off her best season in the WNBA, Asjha Jones will be in Italy
while Nakia Sanford is sure to collect some frequent flyer miles as
she will play in Korea then continue on to Israel. Zuzana Zirkova is
currently playing for the Slovakian National Team. Additionally,
Murriel Page, a veteran of the international leagues is playing for a
team in San Sebastian, Spain.

Stanley had a chance to see some of her players perform on the
International stage when she traveled to Mexico for the Americas
Qualifying Tournament. Stanley saw Helen Luz and Brazil qualify for
the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece. Also competing was Stacey Dales-
Schuman and the Canadian team. Unfortunately, Canada was eliminated
and will not be competing in 2004. Following her commitment with the
Brazilian national team, Luz will spend eight months playing in
Novosirbinski, Russia for the professional team Dinamo.

While many players are playing in other countries, some decided to
head home for the off-season. Rookies Aiysha Smith and Jocelyn Penn
returned to Louisiana State University and the University of South
Carolina respectively to finish their degrees. Forward Chamique
Holdsclaw and guard Coco Miller are taking a much deserved break
before deciding on new playing opportunities. Holdsclaw's primary
focus has been rehabilitating her knee following the MCL injury she
suffered during the last game of the season against the Detroit
Shock.

"I think it is important for the players to work on their skills
during the off-season," said Stanley. "But they need to take some
time off to recharge their batteries. The season is taxing
emotionally, physically and mentally, but it does not take them too
long to get back to the game."

Even if they are not playing in the off-season, Mystics players are
not without homework.

"They have to work on conditioning and strength training as well as
specific skills during the off-season" said Stanley.

Wherever they may be, Mystics players are doing what is necessary to
make sure that the upcoming 2004 season is a memorable one for all
Mystics fans.