WASHINGTON MYSTICS Nancy Darsch, who coached the New York Liberty last season, has landed the most heralded player in women's basketball. There is no doubt that the Mystics are Chamique Holdsclaw's team, and she will be expected to pull them out of the cellar and eventually win championships like she did at Tennessee. "Chamique has really come in and made herself available to her teammates," Darsch said. "Everyday she comes in show positive glimpses of her physical gifts. She has the potential [to be the best ever], but will it happen this year? Probably not. I think she has to improve and become consistent day in and day out." Holdsclaw will team with another former Tennessee star -- 1996 gold-medal winner Nikki McCray, who made a name for herself in the ABL before joining the Mystics last season. Draft pick Shalonda Enis, another former ABL player, should contribute immediately. Andrea Nagy appears to be a lock as the Mystics' starting point guard. Despite finishing last in the Eastern Conference in 1998, Washington led the league in attendance, drawing an average of 15,910 fans a game. With the Holdsclaw-McCray combination and a winning season, who knows how many fans the Mystics may draw. SI for Women's bottom line: The Mystics made some great additions, and Holdsclaw will ensure that they'll be a fun team to watch, but they're still a season away from playoff contention. ROSTER No.       34           15 24     10 11   23 Name Martika Aldridge Rhonda Blades Albena Branzova Heidi Burge Tara Davis Shalonda Enis Chamique Holdsclaw Joy Holmes Monica Maxwell Nikki McCray Penny Moore Andrea Nagy Heather Owen Murriel Page A. S. de Oliveira Jennifer Whittle Rita Williams Pos. G G F F G C G F F G F G F F C C G HT 5-11 5-7 6-4 6-5 5-11 6-1 6-2 5-10 5-9 5-11 6-0 5-7 6-4 6-2 6-5 6-5 5-6

SCHEDULE Jun. 10 -- Charlotte, 7 p.m. Jun. 12 -- at Houston, 4 p.m. Jun. 14 -- at New York, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 18 -- Detroit, 7 p.m. Jun. 19 -- at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Jun. 22 -- Phoenix, 7 p.m. Jun. 25 -- Houston, 7 p.m. Jun. 26 -- at Cleveland, 7 p.m. Jun. 30 -- at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 2 -- Sacramento, 8 p.m. Jul. 6 -- New York, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 8 -- Utah, 7 p.m. Jul. 10 -- at Detroit, 1 p.m. Jul. 12 -- Charlotte, 7 p.m. Jul. 16 -- Detroit, 7 p.m. Jul. 17 -- at Charlotte, 7:30 p.m. Jul. 19 -- Orlando, 7 p.m. Jul. 21 -- Cleveland, 12 p.m. Jul. 23 -- at Minnesota, 8 p.m. Jul. 25 -- at Phoenix, 10 p.m. Jul. 26 -- at Utah, 9 p.m. Jul. 29 -- at Sacramento, 10 p.m. Jul. 31 -- at Los Angeles, 10:30 p.m. Aug. 2 -- at Detroit, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 5 -- Orlando, 7 p.m. Aug. 7 -- at Cleveland, 4 p.m. Aug. 8 -- Cleveland, 4 p.m. Aug. 11 -- New York, 7 p.m. Aug. 14 -- Los Angeles, 4 p.m. Aug. 15 -- at Orlando, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 17 -- at New York, 7:30 p.m. Aug. 21 -- Minnesota, 7 p.m. Coach: Nancy Darsch (first season with Washington) Top returning players: G Nikki McCray (17.7 ppg), F Murriel Page (8.3 ppg), C Alessandra Santos de Oliveira (11.0 ppg) Key newcomers: G-F Chamique Holdsclaw (Tennessee), F Shalonda Enis (ABL's Reign) 1998 record and finish: 3-27, last in Eastern Arena: MCI Center Average home attendance: 15,910 Colors: Blue and brown