31
Mar
Team Profile
Atlanta Dream: Five things you need to know
Atlanta Dream's Rise to WNBA Eastern Conference Dominance (2008-2013)
- Eastern Conference champions in 2010, 2011, and 2013
- Reached WNBA Finals three times in four-year span (2010, 2011, 2013)
- Developed Angel McCoughtry into one of WNBA's top scorers and five-time All-Star
- Latest News: Read more about Aussies in the WNBA
The biggest question for Australian basketball fans is whether reigning WNBL MVP Isobel Borlase will make the leap to the "W" in 2026.
Borlase, 21, was drafted by the Dream in 2024 and Australian basketball icon Michele Timms declared during WNBL26 she was WNBA-ready.
Atlanta Dream
League: WNBA (Eastern Conference)
Founded: 2008
Home Arena: Gateway Center Arena — College Park, Georgia
Ownership: Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, Renee Montgomery
General Manager: Dan Padover
Head Coach: Karl Smesko
Snapshot
- 3× Eastern Conference Champions (2010, 2011, 2013)
- 3× WNBA Finals appearances
- No championships
- One of the fastest expansion success stories
Identity: From Expansion to Contender
The Atlanta Dream didn’t build slowly — they accelerated.
Founded in 2008, Atlanta reached the WNBA Finals within three seasons and became a dominant Eastern Conference force in the early 2010s.
From 2010 to 2013:
- Three conference titles
- Three Finals appearances
- Sustained top-tier contention
They proved expansion teams could win immediately.
The McCoughtry Era: Franchise Foundation
Everything started with Angel McCoughtry.
The No.1 pick in 2009 transformed the Dream:
- Elite scorer
- Defensive disruptor
- Five-time All-Star
Her arrival triggered a rapid turnaround — from 4 wins in 2008 to a Finals team by 2010.
Atlanta didn’t just improve.
It surged.
The Modern Era: Reset and Rise Again
The Dream have transitioned into a new phase — built around youth, athleticism and scoring.
Rhyne Howard now anchors the franchise after being selected No.1 in 2022, becoming Rookie of the Year and the face of the rebuild.
Recent momentum:
- 2025: 30–14 record (1st East)
- Return to contender status
- New coaching leadership under Karl Smesko
This is a second build — but with higher upside.
Current Core (2025–26 Window)
Rhyne Howard (G/F)
- Primary scorer and franchise cornerstone
Allisha Gray (G)
- All-WNBA level production
- Elite two-way guard
Brittney Griner (C)
- Interior presence and scoring gravity
Brionna Jones (F/C)
- Physical frontcourt production
Jordin Canada (G)
- Playmaking and tempo control
Australian Watch
Isobel Borlase (2024 draftee)
- Scoring guard with versatility
Australia remains part of Atlanta’s development pipeline — particularly in the new era build.
By the Numbers
- 2025 Record: 30–14 (.682)
- All-time Record: 284–338
- Playoff Appearances: 10
- WNBA Finals: 3 appearances
Club Philosophy
Atlanta has shown two identities across its history:
Phase 1 (2010–2013):
- Star-led contention
- Defensive pressure
- Transition scoring
Phase 2 (Current):
- Guard-driven offence
- Athletic versatility
- Development + scoring balance
The through line: build fast, compete early.
Legacy: The Expansion Blueprint
The Dream changed expectations.
They showed:
- Expansion teams can reach Finals quickly
- Drafting elite talent accelerates timelines
- Sustained contention is possible without a title
Their early-2010s run remains one of the most impressive builds in league history.
Outlook: Real Contender Again
Atlanta is back in the window.
With:
- A No.1 pick star in Howard
- Proven veterans around her
- A 30-win foundation
The Dream aren’t chasing their past. They’re building toward their first championship.
Five Things You Need To Know
1. One of the fastest expansion success stories: Three Finals in four years reshaped expectations.
2. Angel McCoughtry built the foundation: Angel McCoughtry drove Atlanta’s first era of dominance.
3. Rhyne Howard leads the new era: Rhyne Howard is the franchise cornerstone.
4. Back to contender status in 2025: A 30–14 season re-established Atlanta in the East.
5. Still chasing the first title: Three Finals appearances — zero championships.
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