Rhyne Howard named 2022 WNBA All-Star reserve as rookie

It only took Rhyne Howard 18 games as a professional to establish herself as one of the game’s top players.

On Tuesday afternoon, the Atlanta Dream rookie was named one of 12 reserves for the upcoming 2022 WNBA All-Star. Howard, who was drafted No. 1 overall earlier this spring after four record-breaking years at Kentucky, is the franchise’s first-ever rookie to make the All-Star roster.

She wasn’t one of the 10 starters named last week but was in terrific shape to make the final cut as a reserve, which was voted on by the league’s coaches. The 2022 WNBA All-Star Game is scheduled for Sunday, July 10 at 1:00 p.m. EST on ABC in Chicago.

Looks like the @WNBA #CrownedHer too. 😼👑

Congrats, @howard_rhyne, on being chosen as a WNBA All-Star!#CommitToIt x #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/dTUXBQSfwL

— Kentucky WBB (@KentuckyWBB) June 28, 2022

A little over a week before the All-Star Game on Saturday, July 2, co-captains A’ja Wilson/Sue Bird and Breanna Stewart/Sylvia Fowles will build their respective All-Star teams by drafting from the remaining pool of players. The event will be broadcast on ESPN at 3:00 p.m. EST.

Through 18 games for the Dream this season, Howard is averaging a team-high 16.2 points, 4.7 rebounds, 2.7 assists, and 1.6 steals per contest while shooting 38.3 percent from the floor, 37.3 percent from 3-point range on 7.0 attempts, and 74.1 percent from the free-throw line. Her 47 made triples rank fourth in the entire league. Atlanta is out to an 8-10 start despite entering the season viewed as a rebuilding franchise.

Additionally, Howard has already locked up a spot overseas once the WNBA season comes to a close a come. Last week, it was announced that she will sign with Famila Wuber Schio, an Italian women’s basketball team that plays in Italy’s Serie A and the EuroLeague.

2022 WNBA All-Star reserves

Ariel Atkins (Washington Mystics) 2nd selection
Kahleah Cooper (Chicago Sky) 2nd selection
Skylar Diggins-Smith (Phoenix Mercury) 6th selection
Dearica Hamby (Las Vegas Aces) 2nd selection
Natasha Howard (New York Liberty) 2nd selection
Rhyne Howard (Atlanta Dream) 1st selection
Brionna Jones (Connecticut Sun) 2nd selection
Jewell Loyd (Seattle Storm) 4th selection
Emma Meesseman (Chicago Sky) 2nd selection
Arike Ogunbowale (Dallas Wings) 2nd selection
Alyssa Thomas (Connecticut Sun) 3rd selection
Courtney Vandersloot (Chicago Sky) 4th selection