Meet the first Montrealer to attend a WNBA training camp; spoiler, her brother’s in the NBA

Notre Dame guard Cassandre Prosper (8) grabs a rebound against the Clemson during the second half of an NCAA college basketball game Sunday, Jan. 12, 2025, in Clemson, S.C. (Scott Kinser/The Associated Press)

On Saturday, the Washington Mystics announced its training camp roster for the 2026 WNBA season. That roster included the first-ever Montrealer drafted in the WNBA, and the latest talent from an incredible local family of hardcourters.

Cassandre Prosper averaged 8.7 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.2 assists per game in her last season with Notre Dame and the Mystics selected her 16th overall (round 2, pick 4) in the entry draft.

“I’m so proud of the woman that I’ve become and to start this chapter today, it’s been a beautiful day,” she said at the WNBA draft news conference, where she began answering questions by correcting the reporter’s pronunciation of her name.

“Cassandre [Ka-sand],” she said. “Or you can call me ‘Cass’.”

The 6′3″ guard is Memphis Grizzlies power forward Olivier-Maxence Prosper, who just finished his third NBA season. Their father, Gaetan, moved to Montreal from Haiti as a child.

Both father and mother, Guylaine Blanchette, were all-star Concordia University ballers in college.

Like her mother, Cassandre Prosper has experience playing with and against pros, having been a part of the Canadian National Team since she was 17 years old.

“Now it’s about transferring all the knowledge I have from my teammates and then from playing against high-calibre players to the W,” she said, wearing a stunning silver suit designed by her cousin Melodie Romain.

“She just styled me completely,” she said. “It’s a special moment, something that I get to live once in my life, so this is the occasion to put something flashy for sure.”

The 20-year-old went to school in Ottawa before committing to play at Notre Dame in 2022.

The Mystics are coming off a 16-28 season that ended with a miserable 10 straight losses to miss the playoffs for the second straight season. Prosper is one of 12 rookies at the Mystics training camp.

In college, she was the 2025-26 ACC Most Improved Player and made the All-ACC Second Team. She was also on Cheryl Miller’s top 10 watch list and improved in all categories throughout her three years as a college player.

“I’ve gotten to know myself very well throughout my college career and just having the trust that I am exactly where I’m supposed to be and all the adversary I’m facing is leading me right where my journey is supposed to be,” she said.