Nyla Harris earns WNBA Training Camp Invite to the Washington Mystics
- Thread starter 3397char
- Start date
Correction: it appears that the UNC WBB post above is incorrect in a notable way: Harris negotiated a “rookie scale contract” as a free agent, not a “training camp contract.” This is a new distinction under the 2026 WNBA Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Summary from Gemini (AI):
For an undrafted player, signing a rookie scale contract means:
Fixed Salary Level: They sign for a predetermined "undrafted" base salary, which is the league minimum for players with zero years of service. In 2026, this is approximately $270,000.
Shorter Duration: Unlike drafted rookies who get 3-year deals with a team option for a 4th, undrafted rookies sign for only one or two years.
No Extension Rights: Undrafted rookie scale contracts cannot be extended; these players must finish their contract before negotiating a new deal.
No Roster Guarantee: Unlike 2026 lottery picks (top 6) who have guaranteed first-year salaries, an undrafted rookie's contract is non-guaranteed (unprotected). They are only paid for the days they are actually on the active roster, and the team can waive them during training camp with no financial penalty.
Right now, as you can see here the various teams are signing people to both types of contracts. So Nyla will be paid a good amount more than some, and logically has a more preferred status than some. Though she still has to go earn her spot.
Summary from Gemini (AI):
For an undrafted player, signing a rookie scale contract means:
Fixed Salary Level: They sign for a predetermined "undrafted" base salary, which is the league minimum for players with zero years of service. In 2026, this is approximately $270,000.
Shorter Duration: Unlike drafted rookies who get 3-year deals with a team option for a 4th, undrafted rookies sign for only one or two years.
No Extension Rights: Undrafted rookie scale contracts cannot be extended; these players must finish their contract before negotiating a new deal.
No Roster Guarantee: Unlike 2026 lottery picks (top 6) who have guaranteed first-year salaries, an undrafted rookie's contract is non-guaranteed (unprotected). They are only paid for the days they are actually on the active roster, and the team can waive them during training camp with no financial penalty.
Right now, as you can see here the various teams are signing people to both types of contracts. So Nyla will be paid a good amount more than some, and logically has a more preferred status than some. Though she still has to go earn her spot.
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Go Nyla, play hard and show them how good you are.
It is going to be very tough for her to make it since she is coming in as a free agent; however, if she does not make it, she can always play overseas like MG, AU, and LD. CB does need someone to make it at some point to make our program more appealing to the future high school prospects because she can then say that she has gotten players in the W.
The Mystics cut 6-3 rookie Mya Hollingshed, probably one of the competitors for Nyla's spot on the team. plus another player who was a guard; their roster is now 16.
mystics.wnba.com
They have to get it down to 12 players, plus up to two developmental spots that are a part time, limited per-diem stipend deal. similar to NBA two-way contracts.
Final roster cuts will likely by around May 6th, two days before the regular season begins.
Roster
Head Coach Sydney Johnson (College – Princeton University) Assistant CoachesShelley Patterson (College – Washington State University) | Ashley McGee (College – Austin Peay State University) General ManagerJamila Wideman (College – Stanford University), (Law School – New York University Law...
mystics.wnba.com
They have to get it down to 12 players, plus up to two developmental spots that are a part time, limited per-diem stipend deal. similar to NBA two-way contracts.
Final roster cuts will likely by around May 6th, two days before the regular season begins.
I missed this earlier, but mystics 6’1” 3rd round pick littlePage-Buggs has already been designated as one of the Mystics’ two developments roster spots.The Mystics cut 6-3 rookie Mya Hollingshed, probably one of the competitors for Nyla's spot on the team. plus another player who was a guard; their roster is now 16.
Roster
Head Coach Sydney Johnson (College – Princeton University) Assistant CoachesShelley Patterson (College – Washington State University) | Ashley McGee (College – Austin Peay State University) General ManagerJamila Wideman (College – Stanford University), (Law School – New York University Law...
They have to get it down to 12 players, plus up to two developmental spots that are a part time, limited per-diem stipend deal. similar to NBA two-way contracts.
Final roster cuts will likely by around May 6th, two days before the regular season begins.
note that the Mystics drafted 6 players this year, notably three first round picks. They are in a pretty significant rebuilding phase.
the Myatic’s greatest need was arguably outside shooting as opponents packed the paint on them last season. But somehow they did not get a single shooter with their 6 picks. That may not bode well for Harris who is not known as a 3pt sniper either. They may reserve the end of the bench for some range?
what they did draft was 4 forwards pretty close to Harris’s skill set. None will play any C with Betts and Austin on the roster, so prefer big clog of poor shooters at the 3 &4 spots.
Some pretty big names were cut in the last two days:
- #14 pick Taina Mair of dook cut by Seattle (1st round pick)
- #16 pick Marta Saurez of TCU cut by Golden State (1st pick of 2nd round, The Valkyries did a pretty big trade to get her)
- #21 pick Latasha Lattimore of Ole Miss cut by Chicago
- #23 Ashlon Jackson of dook cut by Golden State
- #32 Tonie Morgan of Kentucky cut by the Sky (2nd pick, 3rd round)
- #45 Lani White of Utah cut by Minnesota (last pick, 3rd round)
- Haley Van Lith of TCU and Louisville cut by Chicago. #11 overall selection last year.
Nyla Harris is now the only one of the ten rookies remaining on their roster with no team photo... 
mystics.wnba.com
Roster
Head Coach Sydney Johnson (College – Princeton University) Assistant CoachesShelley Patterson (College – Washington State University) | Ashley McGee (College – Austin Peay State University) General ManagerJamila Wideman (College – Stanford University), (Law School – New York University Law...
mystics.wnba.com
Washington Mystics on Instagram: "Official: The Washington Mystics have waived Nyla Harris. Thank you, Nyla!"
943 likes, 16 comments - washmystics on May 5, 2026: "Official: The Washington Mystics have waived Nyla Harris. Thank you, Nyla!".
www.instagram.com
Madison Scott was waived by the Washington Mystics
Christeen Iwuala was waived by the Washington Mystics.
Nyla Harris was waived by the Washington Mystics.
The Mystics waived three today, bringing the roster down to 13. One of those 13, Littlepage-Buggs has already been announced as a recipient of a developmental contract.
So their roster of 12 appears set and they still have space for one more developmental contract. There is a good chance that one of the three women waived today will be re-signed to the last developmental contract slot in 2 days, after they clear waivers. Unless they pick up a player cut by another team or they just choose to roll with 13.
as far as the other two waived players: Scott was a 2nd round pick last season, minimal usage last year. Iwuala was signed and waived the same days as Nyla, both as rookie free agents.
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Man, I was hoping she would get that one, but it was not meant to be. NH can move on to another team and maybe she might be able to make one of them. The W will have three more new teams coming each year. There will be a team from Detroit, Philadelphia, and Cleveland. This is good because the opportunities to make a team will be a lot higher now for college players as well as former players who got cut from the W. Go Heels!
The Mystics was a really bad fit from the start. They somehow amassed 6 draft picks this year (taking two forwards in the 1st round) and a ton of training camp depth at the forward position, with more of a need at guard. they also had a ton of cap space for trades and seasoned free agents. That is a lot for Harris to try and overcome as a UDFA.
I agree. It is all about the need and fit when it comes to the W. 3397char I totally agree. I was surprise that her agent had her to try out with the Mystics since they were loaded with a lot of players at her position. If I was here, I would go over seas and play. Find out from the Mystics what areas I will need to work on. Improve in those areas and find a team to try out for next year. As I mentioned before, the W will be adding 3 more teams. I cannot remember if it will be one next year and the year after or two then 1.