Panic swept through Iowa when it was time to say goodbye to their hometown hero, Caitlin Clark. The question on everyone’s mind–what’s next for the Hawkeyes? That’s when transfer guard Lucy Olsen stepped up. Taking over for someone like Clark? That’s pressure only a few can handle. But Olsen didn’t just survive–she delivered. Her one season in Iowa black and gold was enough to leave a mark. However, when she declared for the draft, many expected her to be a long shot to stick around with the way roster cuts were happening. But that doesn’t look to be the case! Iowa fans, you have another reason to watch the W now!

According to Underdog WNBA, the Mystics have made their final preseason cuts–waiving Zaay Green, Khadijiah Cave, Ashten Prechtel, and Lauren Jensen. That left just one roster spot open. And guess who grabbed it? Lucy Olsen. The number 23 pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft is officially on the squad. The rookie has made the 12-player roster. A major win for her. Reporter Chad Leistikow backed up the news. So yes, it’s real. Lucy Olsen is staying in the W.

The former Hawkeye arrives in D.C. with an impressive resume to talk about. Before transferring to Iowa, she made serious waves at Villanova–earning Big East Most Improved Player honors and a First-Team All-Big East nod in 2024. The Mystics might just have gotten their top merch seller!

The Hawkeyes now have four former players– Caitlin Clark, Kate Martin, Megan Gustaffson, and Olsen to root for. With the news of Olsen making the side, needless to say, the Iowa fans were extremely delighted.

Caitlin Clark fans delighted to watch Olsen get a chance to play in the W

Fans were clearly buzzing–and they weren’t shy about it. “I honestly thought Lucy Olsen would get waived and maybe get signed later in the season by someone. Good for her, still not a huge Mystics fan tho. I’d maybe buy a t-shirt 😵” one fan commented. Another joined in saying, ” In my mind there was no doubt she’d make it but I’m still very happy for her. Lucy Olsen is an outstanding young lady & I wish her all the best!”

There are just 156 roster spots in the entire WNBA. Thirteen teams. Each with 11 to 12 players. That’s it. No G League. No practice squads. No backup options. So when a late second-round rookie sticks around? That’s rare. So many talented players like Deja Kelly, Bree Hall are without a franchise now. But Lucy Olsen did it. She beat the odds!

But it wasn’t just about making the team–fans are already excited to follow her journey. “I remember how excited I was at the end of my Senior year at Iowa when the news broke that we landed Lucy Olsen in the transfer portal. Now we get to follow her journey in the WNBA with the Washington Mystics. We look forward to seeing many more majestic midrange shots in the W,” one fan said.

Lucy Olsen stepped in effortlessly when it came to replacing Caitlin Clark, and she quickly proved her worth. Earning First-Team All-Big Ten honors, Olsen led Iowa to the big dance and helped secure a first-round win, showing that she could handle the pressure. Averaging 17.9 points, 5.1 assists, and 3.6 rebounds per game while shooting 43.6% from the field, her skills were undeniable. Her smooth mid-range jumpers became a signature move, with many calling it the best in the country. With so much to like about her game, it’s no wonder fans are eager to follow her journey in the WNBA.

However, not all fans were thrilled with the decision. “But she was horrible in both preseason games,” one fan commented. Another fan added, “She should have never made it. She didn’t show anything in those preseason games. Zaay Green should’ve gotten this spot.”

The truth is, Olsen’s preseason performances weren’t stellar. In the two games she played, she shot a poor 2-14 from the field, only managing to score 4 points. In comparison, Zaay Green, who got waived, had 8 points across the same two games. It wasn’t exactly a glaring difference, but it does raise questions about what went into the decision-making process. There is no doubt about Olsen’s ability. But we have seen rookies get waived because of their performance in the preseason, and luckily for Olsen — the Mystics have taken a punt on her potential rather than her current form!