The Washington Mystics have upgraded Alicia Flórez’s contract from a developmental to a rest-of-season contract, highlighting the benefits of the new Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) rule in the WNBA. Flórez, a 22-year-old rookie from Spain, has quickly become an integral part of the Mystics’ lineup.

Flórez first joined the Mystics on a developmental contract on May 7th and made her WNBA debut on May 27th. In just three games, she has averaged 7.3 points and 4.3 assists, playing 22.3 minutes per game. Her performance has been pivotal in the Mystics’ rotation, demonstrating her ability to effectively manage the offense.

Before joining the WNBA, Flórez played for Ensino Lugo in Spain’s top women’s basketball league, where she averaged over 11 points, 5 rebounds, and 5 assists per game. Her transition to the WNBA has been seamless, and her contributions have been praised by Mystics head coach Sydney Johnson. Johnson noted Flórez’s intensity and teamwork, stating, “This is a young woman who plays with incredible intensity. There’s the toughness there and the fight to play in basketball games, but she’s a wonderful teammate.”

The Mystics have a 2-1 record with Flórez active, including a recent 90-72 victory over the Chicago Sky, where she contributed 8 points, 3 assists, and a steal. Her presence has been particularly significant as Georgia Amoore, the team’s starting point guard, has struggled this season after returning from an ACL injury.

This season marks the first time WNBA teams can sign two players to developmental spots, which can later be converted to regular roster spots, thanks to the new CBA provision. The Portland Fire was the first to utilize this rule, converting two players to standard contracts. Now, the Mystics have followed suit with Flórez, demonstrating the value of developmental roster spots in nurturing emerging talent.

Original reporting: All Sports Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.