Shakira Austin Named to 2026 All-WNBA Second Team

Shakira Austin Named to 2026 All-WNBA Second Team

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Shakira Austin Secures Spot on 2026 All-WNBA Second Team

Washington Mystics center Shakira Austin has officially been named to the 2026 All-WNBA Second Team, a milestone that underscores her evolution into one of the league’s most consistent interior forces. The selection, announced by the WNBA, marks the first time a Mystics player has earned this distinction since Tina Charles in 2021.

For the Washington franchise, this recognition is more than a trophy; it validates a season defined by heavy lifting in the paint. Austin, now in her fifth WNBA season, appeared in every one of the Mystics’ 43 games this year. According to official team reporting, she led the roster in total points, rebounds, and blocks, effectively anchoring a rotation that relied on her availability and production throughout a grueling schedule.

A Statistical Leap in a Competitive Landscape

The numbers behind Austin’s 2026 campaign reveal a player finding a new gear. She finished the season averaging career-highs of 17.0 points and 9.5 rebounds per game, while shooting 48.3% from the field and maintaining a 31.5% clip from three-point range. Perhaps most notably, she was one of only three players in the entire league to average at least 17 points and 9 rebounds during the 2026 season.

Her impact was most visible in the double-double column. Austin recorded 20 double-doubles this year, a feat made even more significant when paired with teammate Kiki Iriafen’s 23. Together, the duo became the first pair of teammates in WNBA history to each record at least 20 double-doubles in a single season. This synergy suggests the Mystics have successfully built a frontcourt identity that balances individual scoring with high-volume rebounding.

Category 2026 Season Performance
Total Games Played 43
Points Per Game 17.0 (Career High)
Rebounds Per Game 9.5 (Career High)
Double-Doubles 20

Building Franchise History

Austin’s path to the Second Team was marked by steady performance rather than a single explosive moment. While she earned her first-ever Associated Press Player of the Week honors in August—along with a WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week nod—the consistency of her 43-game stretch was the primary driver of her selection. She is now the sixth player in franchise history to be named to the All-WNBA Second Team and the seventh to earn any All-WNBA team designation.

January philadelphia pennsylvania usa rose forward shakira austin makes a layup at xfinity mobile arena

The significance of this honor rests on the league’s shifting talent pool. As the WNBA continues to expand and the level of play rises, securing a spot on an All-WNBA team requires more than just raw stats; it requires durability and efficiency in high-leverage situations. By ranking fourth across the league in rebounds per game, Austin proved that she could compete at the highest level of physicality, regardless of the opponent.

While the accolade marks a career peak, it also shifts the expectations for the Mystics heading into the next off-season. The challenge for the organization will be translating these individual milestones into deeper playoff runs. For now, the recognition serves as a marker for a player who has moved from a promising prospect to a foundational piece of the team’s long-term strategy.

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