Mystics select Ally Malott 8th overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft

The Washington Mystics drafted Dayton forward Ally Malott eighth overall in the 2015 WNBA Draft Thursday.

Malott is a 6'4 forward who should provide a stretch power forward presence for the Mystics, who don't have that type of player on their current roster. She averaged 41.3% of her threes (43 of 104 shots) during the 2014-15 NCAA season for the Flyers. For the season overall, she averaged 15.5 points and 7.8 rebounds.

Dayton has been one of the top mid-major programs in women's college basketball in recent years, where they have made the NCAA tournament for each of the last six seasons. But this season, the Flyers advanced to the Elite Eight for the first time in school history, where they gave UConn a 44-43 halftime scare but ultimately lost 91-70 to the Huskies.

Mystics General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault also added these remarks on Malott:

We have had the opportunity to see Ally in person 8 or 9 times, as well as watch her practice. In my mind, she is the best definition of the modern "stretch four" in this draft. She is one of the best shooters in the draft at any position. She helps space the floor, can play around the basket and is a very good outlet passer to start the break.

It is not a secret that the 2015 WNBA Draft is considered to be weak overall, especially after early entries Jewell Loyd and Amanda Zahui B. were selected first and second overall respectively. But if there's a coach who knows how to get draft prospects to work for him -- even in a "weak" class -- it's Mike Thibault.

Welcome to D.C., Ally!