Washington Mystics sign Lee-Seul Kang to training camp contract

Leeseul Kang (C) of South Korea is blocked by New Zealand's Ashleigh Karaitiana (L) and Anotnia Edmondson during the 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup basketball match between New Zealand and South Korea in Bangalore on September 27, 2019.  (Photo by Abhishek N. CHINNAPPA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ABHISHEK N. CHINNAPPA/AFP via Getty Images)
Leeseul Kang (C) of South Korea is blocked by New Zealand's Ashleigh Karaitiana (L) and Anotnia Edmondson during the 2019 FIBA Women's Asia Cup basketball match between New Zealand and South Korea in Bangalore on September 27, 2019.  (Photo by Abhishek N. CHINNAPPA / AFP) (Photo credit should read ABHISHEK N. CHINNAPPA/AFP via Getty Images)

An addition to Mike Thibault’s shooting-savvy group

South Korean national team player Lee-Seul Kang has signed with the Washington Mystics on a training camp contract, a league source confirmed to High Post Hoops.

The 25-year-old was first eligible to play in the WNBA in 2016 but was not drafted. A 5’11” guard/forward, Kang has played for KEB Hanabank in South Korea’s WKBL since 2015. She was also part of the South Korean team that won a silver medal at the 2018 Asian Games, finished 14th at the 2018 FIBA World Cup, and qualified for the 2020 Olympics at a recent qualifying tournament in Serbia. At the Olympic Qualifying Tournament, Kang averaged 10.3 points and 1.3 rebounds per game and shot 50% from behind the arc (7-14 in 3 games).

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In the WNBA, Kang is expected to play primarily shooting guard, and at least one WNBA talent evaluator expects Kang’s shooting ability to translate to the league. If she makes the Mystics’ final roster, she could fill a similar role to Kim Mestdagh last season as a 3-point shooter off the bench, though like Mestdagh she would probably not play significant minutes for the defending champions.

The Mystics will open training camp for the 2020 season on April 26, and their roster must be finalized by May 14, the day before the season-opener against Los Angeles.

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