Mystics players Cloud, Sanders opt out of 2020 season citing social justice, health concerns
WASHINGTON - Two Washington Mystics players are sitting out the 2020 campaign, citing social justice goals, as well as health concerns in the era of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Natasha Cloud – who averaged a career-best 9 points per game and 5.6 assists per game in 2019 en route to the WNBA title – said there were a lot of factors in her decision, but, most significantly, was her concern about the community.
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“This has been one of the toughest decisions of my career but I will be foregoing the 2020 WNBA season. There are a lot of factors that led to this decision, but the biggest one is that I am more than an athlete. I have a responsibility to myself, to my community and to my future children to fight for something that is much bigger than myself and the game of basketball. I will instead continue the fight for social reform, because until Black lives matter, all lives can’t matter,” she said.
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Sanders averaged 6.1 points and 5.5 rebounds for the Mystics last season.
COVID-19 has been a major factor in professional sports since it arrived in the U.S.
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“This was not an easy choice to make, but after much thought and conversation I do believe it is what’s best for my health and family. I wish my teammates and the entire Mystics family the best this season and I will continue to watch and support them,” Sanders said.