Latest news with #MikeThibault
Straits Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Belgium eyes global glory after historic EuroBasket defense
Belgium's stunning 67-65 victory over Spain on Sunday not only secured them consecutive EuroBasket titles, but also established them as Europe's most formidable basketball force with genuine global ambitions. The Belgian Cats have undergone one of the most remarkable transformations, evolving from an unranked nation in 2016 into a continental powerhouse. Claiming both their 2023 and 2025 titles despite trailing at half-time in both finals is just one of the extraordinary feats they have achieved, making them only the third nation after the Soviet Union and Spain to successfully defend the EuroBasket crown. Rising from continental hopefuls to global contenders, they have won four European medals since 2017 and secured fourth- and fifth-place finishes at the 2018 and 2022 World Cups respectively. Now, they are setting their sights on conquering the global stage at the FIBA World Cup next year and the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Funding from the Olympic Solidarity Team Support Grant for the 2021–24 period, combined with backing from the Belgian Olympic Committee, has accelerated their development. At last year's Paris Olympics, Belgium came tantalisingly close to their breakthrough moment, reaching the semi-finals before losing 81–75 to the eventual runners-up, France, in overtime. Their subsequent 85–81 bronze-medal loss to Australia left them in fourth place, agonisingly close to their first Olympic podium finish, but demonstrating their ability to compete with the global basketball elite. Coach Rachid Meziane, who led the team to their first European success, left in December to take up a position with the Connecticut Sun in the WNBA. Mike Thibault, former coach of the Washington Mystics, took over in January and has continued to propel the team forward. MASTERFUL EXECUTION WITH GENERATIONAL BLEND Under Thibault's guidance, Belgium delivered a superb EuroBasket campaign, topping Group C after victories over Portugal, Montenegro and co-hosts Czech Republic. Their systematic approach has become their trademark, as evidenced by their dismantling of Germany by 24 points in the quarter-finals and their hard-fought 66–64 semi-final victory over Italy. Sunday's final epitomised Belgium's championship DNA. Spain seemed destined for their fifth European title when they established a commanding 65–53 lead with 2:56 left in the final quarter. However, Belgium's competitive spirit emerged in the crucial final minutes. Kyara Linskens, Emma Meesseman, and Julie Allemand combined to reduce the deficit to one point with just 18 seconds left on the clock. Antonia Delaere's decisive steal and layup completed the victory, leaving Spanish players burying their heads in disbelief in front of a raucous 7,827 crowd at the iconic Peace and Friendship Stadium - a record attendance for a Women's EuroBasket Final in the 21st century. The team's blend of experience and youth revolves around Meesseman, 32, the first player to win back-to-back EuroBasket MVP awards. The former Washington Mystics power forward's historic achievement enhances her glittering career, which features a WNBA championship, a WNBA Finals MVP award, six EuroLeague titles and three EuroLeague MVP awards. "It's still hard to believe — I've played a lot of games in my career, but never one like that, especially not in a final," Meesseman said. "It's a good reminder to never give up — in sport or in life." Veteran Julie Vanloo delivered vital assists, while the return of the injured Allemand proved crucial for excellent playmaking. Nastja Claessens, 20, emerged as an important addition, as demonstrated by her 14-point performance against Montenegro. Belgium's dynasty appears nascent, having transformed from a feel-good story into European royalty with their sights set on world domination. Having established European dominance, the missing Olympic and World Cup medals represent their ultimate prize. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Washington Mystics 2025 WNBA Season Preview
[Editor's note: This article is from Athlon Sports' 2025 WNBA Preview print magazine. Order your copy today online, or pick one up at retail racks and newsstands nationwide.] The Washington Mystics are another team in transition, having parted ways with longtime coach-turned-general manager Mike Thibault and his son Eric, Mike's successor who served as head coach the past two seasons. The Mystics will also be without franchise cornerstone Elena Delle Donne, the two-time MVP, seven-time All-Star and 2019 NBA champion who announced her retirement in April. Her decision is not exactly a surprise since she sat out the 2024 season, but it feels like the end of a chapter for the Mystics. Advertisement Washington has struggled since that title run, finishing above .500 only once — in 2022, Mike Thibault's final year at the helm. The Mystics missed the playoff cut last year, finishing 14-26 after an 0-12 start. The franchise hit reset, bringing in a new general manager in Jamila Wideman and head coach in Sydney Johnson. Wideman joins Washington after six years in the NBA league office. Most recently, she served as senior vice president of player development. Johnson, who coached the USA's 3x3 team in the 2024 FIBA AmeriCup, has worked with USA Basketball for the past five seasons. Johnson was an assistant with the Chicago Sky last season. In the offseason, the Mystics traded veteran guard Ariel Atkins to Chicago for the No. 3 pick and future draft considerations. Atkins led the team in scoring in 2024, averaging 14.9 points in 29.9 minutes per game. She also pulled down 3.4 rebounds and dished 3.1 assists with a team-high 1.5 steals per contest. Golden State selected fellow guard Julie Vanloo in the expansion draft, and Myisha Hines-Allen signed with the Dallas Wings in free agency. And on the day of the draft, Mystics made a big move with the future in mind, trading Karlie Samuelson to Minnesota for a first-round pick in 2026. Fortunately, the team was able to re-stock with three of the top six picks in April's draft. Advertisement Now, it will be up to players like Brittney Sykes, Stefanie Dolson, Shakira Austin and Aaliyah Edwards to lead the Mystics into this new era. More WNBA team previews: Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings Washington Mystics center Stefanie Dolson reacts during her team's game against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 10, Smith / IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK Frontcourt The Mystics return most of their frontcourt, led by Dolson, who started 39 games a year ago and averaged 9.5 points and 4.9 rebounds in one of her best seasons since her All-Star 2017 campaign. Throughout her career, Dolson has established herself as one of the league's best shooters with a career average of 50% and a 40.8% mark beyond the arc. She more than doubled her previous career high with 72 3-pointers for the Mystics last year, which was tied for second on the team and just seven treys behind Atkins for the team lead. Advertisement Dolson's consistency in the starting lineup was particularly important as Washington navigated nearly half the season without Austin available. Though hip and ankle injuries limited her, Austin was in the midst of one of her best statistical seasons yet. The third-year forward averaged a career-high 11.8 points along with 6.8 rebounds and 1.3 steals in 12 games — even while she was on a minutes restriction. In her absence, Dolson typically played alongside forwards Emily Engstler and Sika Koné. Edwards, a rookie forward, also struggled with injuries throughout the season, including a broken nose, a right ankle injury and lower back pain. Even so, she missed only six games, largely coming off the bench for the Mystics and producing 7.6 points and 5.6 rebounds in 21.8 minutes per game. The UConn grad was an efficient scorer with the Huskies, averaging nearly 60% shooting from the field. Defensively, Edwards was even more impressive, recording 27 blocks, which landed her in the league's top 20. It will be fascinating to watch how she can develop with more time on the court. Outside of Dolson, who is entering her 12th season, the Mystics' core of frontcourt players is extremely young, having played three or fewer seasons each, so another year of experience together may make a big difference for Washington. Expect to see Dolson, Austin and Edwards at the heart of this rotation, with Engsteler, Koné and rookie Kiki Iriafen filling in the gaps. Washington Mystics guard Brittney Sykes reacts during her team's preseason game against the Indiana Fever at Gainbridge Fieldhouse on May 3, Smith / IndyStar / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images Backcourt Sykes was another player who struggled with injuries last season, missing a month with an ankle injury and foot sprain. Despite playing just 18 games, she filled a vital role for the Mystics. In fact, nine of the team's 14 victories came with her in the starting lineup. Advertisement She returns this year, but Washington will be without Atkins, Samuelson, Vanloo and Hines-Allen, which leaves room for a few new players to fight for a place in the rotation. Third-year guard Jade Melbourne is an intriguing option to fill one of the guard spots. Melbourne averaged 5.4 points in 14.2 minutes across 37 games and showed her potential as a playmaker, dishing 59 assists. The Mystics also have Sug Sutton, who played only seven games due to an elbow injury after a trade from Phoenix. The Mystics added to an extremely limited backcourt rotation via the draft with players like Sonia Citron out of Notre Dame and Georgia Amoore from Kentucky. Final Analysis The Mystics have some talent on the roster and the benefit of familiarity without a lot of turnover in the offseason. The newcomers will also bolster the rotation. That is an area where Johnson's success with rookie stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso in Chicago last season will be particularly handy. Edwards, another young talent, also feels primed for a breakout season. Advertisement The biggest question for this squad entering 2025: Can the Mystics stay healthy? While navigating injuries, Washington tested 12 different starting lineups at different points in the season, with Atkins, who is no longer with the team, serving as the only common thread between them. The benefit, of course, is that even though they lose three of their main starters, the Mystics do have six returning players with starting experience in the WNBA. Expect that trend to continue as Johnson familiarizes himself with the returners and works to integrate the new class of rookies. The right mix could give Washington a little boost in 2025. Sonia Citron poses with WNBA commissioner Cathy Engelbert after being selected with the No. 3 overall pick by the Washington Mystics in the WNBA Draft in New York on April Carchietta-Imagn Images Beyond the Arc WNBA Pioneer: New general manager Jamila Wideman was part of the WNBA's inaugural class after helping lead Stanford to three Final Fours. The Los Angeles Sparks drafted her third overall in 1997, and she played two seasons there before being traded to the Cleveland Rockers. She also played with the expansion Portland Fire and the Connecticut Sun before retiring. As a rookie, Wideman ranked seventh in the WNBA with 103 assists. Advertisement Staying in D.C.: Elena Delle Donne has officially retired, but she will stay close to the Mystics, serving as a special advisor to Monumental Basketball. Monumental owns and operates the Mystics, the NBA's Washington Wizards, the NBA G League's Capital City Go-Go and the NHL's Washington Capitals. Reunited: Prior to his appointment as Mystics head coach, Sydney Johnson coached Brittney Sykes on the 2024 FIBA 3x3 Americup Team. Sykes averaged 6.2 points and 2.6 rebounds, including a nine-point showing in the title game vs. Canada where the USA fell 19-18. Four Mystics players were invited to the team's development camp (Shakira Austin, Emily Engstler and Sug Sutton were the other three). It was Sykes' second time representing the USA. The first came in the 2019 FIBA Women's AmeriCup, where the team won gold in five-on-five. Draft Recap 1. Sonia Citron, G, 6-1, Notre Dame Advertisement 1. Kiki Iriafen, F, 6-3, USC 1. Georgia Amoore, G, 5-6, Kentucky 2. Lucy Olsen, G, 5-10, Iowa 3. Zaay Green, G, 6-2, Alabama Analysis: After trading away Karlie Samuelson, the Mystics naturally focused on finding guards in this draft class, and they succeeded. They selected a pair of versatile players in Sonia Citron and Georgia Amoore, who will compete for minutes in this shorthanded backcourt. At 6-foot-1, Citron is one of the Mystics' tallest guards, able to cause trouble for opponents on the perimeter with her length. With the addition of talented guards Lucy Olsen and Zaay Green, the backcourt is suddenly looking crowded. The Mystics also selected Kiki Iriafen, who typically played small forward at Stanford and USC. She is another exciting addition who can help a team in a variety of ways, including her ability to step out and knock down a midrange jump shot. Advertisement More WNBA team previews: Aces | Dream | Fever | Liberty | Lynx | Mercury | Sky | Sparks | Storm | Sun | Valkyries | Wings Related: Athlon Sports 2025 WNBA Preview Magazine Available Now Related: Caitlin Clark Is Rested, Ready to Be Her Best After Offseason Recharge
USA Today
24-02-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Washington Mystics trade Ariel Atkins to Chicago Sky for No. 3 WNBA draft pick, per report
Field Level Media The Chicago Sky acquired two-time All-Star guard Ariel Atkins from the Washington Mystics, who received Chicago's No. 3 pick in the 2025 WNBA draft, per an ESPN report on Sunday. The rebuilding Mystics, who moved on from general manager Mike Thibault and coach Eric Thibault in October after missing the playoffs, will also receive a 2027 first-round pick swap along with the Sky's second-round selection that year. Atkins, 28, was Washington's first-round pick in the 2018 draft and averaged 13.4 points and 3.0 rebounds and 2.4 assists over seven seasons in the nation's capital. A five-time All-Defense selection, she was a member of the 2019 WNBA champions and a 2020 Olympian. The Mystics, who haven't won a playoff game since winning the title, introduced new coach Sydney Johnson and new general manager Jamila Wideman earlier this month. Meanwhile, the Sky also failed to reach the postseason in 2024 but added Rebecca Allen, Kia Nurse and former team star Courtney Vandersloot to complement young stars Angel Reese and Kamilla Cardoso.
Fox Sports
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Mike Thibault takes over as coach of Belgium's national women's basketball team
Associated Press Former WNBA coach Mike Thibault is taking over Belgium's national women's basketball team. The 74-year-old Thibault will succeed Rachid Meziane, who is now the head coach of the Connecticut Sun. 'Mike Thibault is a fantastic coach and he has a profile that is completely in line with what we had in mind,' national team GM Koen Umans said. 'He has proven in his career that he is a real winner and he is a coach who can give a team that extra push. He has tons of experience at the highest level and has excellent management qualities. He also fits perfectly into our current culture and structure." Belgium, known as the Belgian Cats, lost to Australia in the bronze medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Thibault inherits a veteran squad led by Emma Meesseman, Julie Vanloo and Julie Allemand. He had been an assistant with USA Basketball, helping the team win gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Thibault coached in the WNBA from 2003-22 with Connecticut and Washington before stepping aside to become the Mystics GM in 2023. He parted ways with the Mystics after this past season. First up for Thibault will be trying to qualify for next year's World Cup in Germany. 'I am honored to be the new coach of the Cats. The enormous growth of this team is recognized and respected worldwide and I was privileged to experience this up close," he said. 'This is a team where the key players are at the height of their careers and I look forward to playing for the prizes in the coming years. I will do everything I can to get the most out of this special group.' ___ AP WNBA: recommended in this topic
Associated Press
27-01-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
Mike Thibault takes over as coach of Belgium's national women's basketball team
Former WNBA coach Mike Thibault is taking over Belgium's national women's basketball team. The 74-year-old Thibault will succeed Rachid Meziane, who is now the head coach of the Connecticut Sun. 'Mike Thibault is a fantastic coach and he has a profile that is completely in line with what we had in mind,' national team GM Koen Umans said. 'He has proven in his career that he is a real winner and he is a coach who can give a team that extra push. He has tons of experience at the highest level and has excellent management qualities. He also fits perfectly into our current culture and structure.' Belgium, known as the Belgian Cats, lost to Australia in the bronze medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Thibault inherits a veteran squad led by Emma Meesseman, Julie Vanloo and Julie Allemand. He had been an assistant with USA Basketball, helping the team win gold at the 2004 and 2008 Olympics. Thibault coached in the WNBA from 2003-22 with Connecticut and Washington before stepping aside to become the Mystics GM in 2023. He parted ways with the Mystics after this past season. First up for Thibault will be trying to qualify for next year's World Cup in Germany. 'I am honored to be the new coach of the Cats. The enormous growth of this team is recognized and respected worldwide and I was privileged to experience this up close,' he said. 'This is a team where the key players are at the height of their careers and I look forward to playing for the prizes in the coming years. I will do everything I can to get the most out of this special group.'
