Free agent guard Katie Smith, No. 3 scorer in WNBA history, signs with Washington Mystics

Katie Smith signs with Washington Mystics

WASHINGTON — Katie Smith has signed with the Washington Mystics, with general manager Angela Taylor calling the guard “the LeBron James of this free-agency process.”

Smith is the third-leading scorer in WNBA history, helped the Detroit Shock win two championships and was the MVP of the 2008 finals. She also was a member of three Olympic champion U.S. basketball teams — at the 2000, 2004 and 2008 Summer Games.

Smith missed the end of last season with Detroit because of a herniated disc in her back. But she said Tuesday she is healthy and looking forward to “getting the rust off and getting the timing back.”

The Mystics went 16-18 last season and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006.