Washington Mystics Coach Richie Adubato said he is looking forward
to the beginning of training camp this afternoon at Verizon Center,
though four top players will not participate.

Three starters -- point guard Nikki Teasley , power forward DeLisha
Milton-Jones and small forward Crystal Robinson -- still are playing
overseas and likely will return in the next week. Reserve forward
Nakia Sanford injured her right pinkie finger last week playing
professionally in Italy and will meet with a specialist tomorrow.

The Mystics went 16-18 last year and missed the playoffs by one
game. But Adubato feels this year's team should be better after
acquiring Teasley in a trade with Los Angeles and signing Robinson,
a free agent from the New York Liberty. Adubato also believes first-
round draft pick Tamara James , a forward from Miami, and second-
round draft pick Nikki Blue , a guard from UCLA, will contribute as
reserves.

"We came up just short of making the playoffs last year and we have
upgraded our roster," Adubato said. "I think Crystal is one of the
best defenders in the league and a clutch shooter. We have some new
faces, but we have the same nucleus returning."

The Mystics expect 15 players at practice today, which Adubato said
is critical because we wants to divide the group into three teams.
WNBA teams are allowed to have 18 players in training camp and can
have 13 players on the opening day roster as long as they are under
the $700,000 salary cap.

"I see us being able to keep 11 or 12, but no way we'll have 13,"
said Linda Hargrove , the team's general manager. "I think the
baseline goal is definitely making the playoffs because I feel we
have the personnel in place to make us a better team than last year."

After today's two-hour practice, the Mystics will hold their
remaining training camp at Gallaudet University. The first preseason
game will be May 6 against San Antonio in Wichita. The Mystics will
host Houston in their final preseason game on May 13 and open the
season at Verizon Center against the New York Liberty on May 23 at 7
p.m.