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On Friday, the Washington Mystics announced that they have signed Klara Lundquist to a contract. Lundquist is a Swedish national who plays for Alvik Basket in the Swedish Damligan where she was named the league’s player of the year according to the release. She averaged 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists per game in Swedish play this season and is just 21 years old.
Before playing for Alvik Basket, Lundquist also played for BLMA based near Montpelier, France last season.
In Washington’s release, General Manager and Head Coach Mike Thibault said the following:
Klara is a young point guard that has continued to improve. She had a terrific season and was the Player of the Year in the Swedish League. She will only continue to improve, and we hope she can be a part of our future in the years to come.
It is unclear when Lundquist can play for Washington. The team stated that her status for this season is to be determined.
For now, it appears that the most immediate reason is Women’s EuroBasket, which will be held from June 17-27 in Spain and France. Lundquist is on the 20th ranked Swedish national team where they will play in Group A with No. 3 Spain, No. 11 Belarus and No. 24 Slovakia. Lundquist is on the national team, as well as Los Angeles Sparks center Amanda Zahui B.
Based on world rankings alone, Sweden will be underdogs for a medal, but they did make the quarterfinals in 2019 and eventually placed fifth after placement games. Sweden will not be in the Olympics.
Admittedly, I haven’t seen her play much before, but we certainly will get an opportunity to later this June in Women’s EuroBasket, assuming she doesn’t report to Washington between now and then.
Welcome to D.C. Klara!