What Rhyne Howard expects of her first year in the WNBA
It may be a new era for Rhyne Howard, but the Kentucky legend expects the same success.
On Monday night, the Atlanta Dream selected Rhyne Howard with the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. Howard is the first No. 1 pick to come from UK. It didn’t take long for Howard to excite Dream fans. When asked about her expectations for her rookie campaign, Howard’s response was concise.
“A goal is Rookie of the Year, but I want to be a part of a winning team,” Howard said.
Winning is something the Atlanta Dream isn’t familiar with as of late. The franchise has not had a winning season since 2018. For the last three years now, the Dream has been stuck in an endless rebuilding stage.
This revolving door has not been limited to the team itself. This offseason, the Dream found a new owner, head coach and GM. Howard is a solid cornerstone to build a foundation on, and Dream General Manager Dan Padover knows it.
“[Howard’s] athleticism and basketball IQ will be the backbone of her future success in this league. She’s a great kid from nearby and we think she will be a key piece for the future of this basketball team,” Padover said.
Howard is from Cleveland, Tenn., approximately a 75-mile drive from the home arena of the Dream, Gateway Center Arena. The two-time SEC Player of the Year shared her thoughts about being so close to home.
“For it to be so close is huge. It will mean a lot of family and close friends will be able to come and support me,” Howard said.
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Howard’s loved ones will be in for a treat. The 6-foot-2 guard is a WNBA prototype. In her senior season at UK, Howard averaged 20.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Dream head coach Tanisha Wright expects to have the same success for her team.
“She has a quiet competitiveness that I love, and I think the level of play in our league will bring something special out of her which I’m really excited to see,” Wright said.
Despite everybody else’s opinions, Howard is the one in control of her destiny. Luckily for Dream fans, Howard anticipates big things.
“I really just want to have an impact on the team when I get there and continue to make everyone better,” Howard said.
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