Atlanta Dream

Brittney Griner's time with the Phoenix Mercury has come to an end.

After 11 seasons in Phoenix, Griner is departing in free agency. Per ESPN's Shams Charania and Alexa Phillippou, the 10-time All-Star is taking her talents to the Atlanta Dream. Griner and the Dream agreed to a contract on Tuesday.

Brittney Griner is heading to the Atlanta Dream. pic.twitter.com/mLFQlQ1pWl

— Khristina Williams (@Khristina) January 29, 2025

The Mercury selected Griner first overall in the 2013 WNBA draft after her tremendous collegiate career at Baylor and she immediately made an impact, putting up 12.6 points, 6.3 rebounds and three blocks per game to earn All-Rookie team honors. She also helped lead Phoenix to the WNBA conference finals in her first season.

In Year 2, Griner put up 15.6 points, 8.0 rebounds and 3.8 blocks per game, winning Defensive Player of the Year and earning All-WNBA honors. She was an integral part of the Mercury roster as they won their third WNBA championship in franchise history.

In her 11 years with Phoenix, Griner was named to 10 All-Star teams, three All-WNBA First Teams and three All-Defensive First Teams. She was the league's scoring leader in 2017 and 2019, putting up 21.9 and 20.7 points per game, respectively, and led the WNBA in blocks eight times.

Now, Griner will take her tremendous inside scoring and defensive presence to Atlanta as the Dream look to find success after years of struggle. Atlanta reached the playoffs the last two seasons, but have not won a postseason game since 2018. The Dream haven't won a playoff series since 2016.

Atlanta has plenty of talent with Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray leading the way, and now it has another star in Griner to help ring in a new era with Karl Smesko taking over as head coach.

The Atlanta Dream announced Wednesday they hired Karl Smesko as their next head coach.

Press Release: Atlanta Dream Hire Karl Smesko as Head Coach. One of Women’s Basketball’s Winningest Coaches, Smesko Brings a Dynamic New Style to the Atlanta Dream.
Read More: https://t.co/aUCTBaWOnk pic.twitter.com/2NUuSNYTQ3

— Atlanta Dream PR (@ATLDreamPR) November 13, 2024

Smesko spent 18 seasons at Florida Gulf Coast and turned the Eagles into an NCAA tournament mainstay. He coached at Walsh University and Purdue Fort Wayne before FGCU and boasts a 672-139 career record across all three stops.

"Karl is a proven leader with a history of developing his players and creating a winning culture," Dream general manager Dan Padover said. "His fast-paced, innovative style of play will be attractive to our players and fans alike. We are excited to have Karl bring his incredible basketball IQ to the Dream."

Smesko's hiring is likely to address one of Atlanta's bigger issues on the court.

In three years with Tanisha Wright as the head coach, the team never ranked higher than seventh in made threes. FGCU, by contrast, averaged the second-most three-point attempts (30.1) in Division I in 2023-24.

The Eagles had a defined offensive identity, one that was both exciting to watch and highly effective. Smesko will be looking to bring that to the Dream.

Going straight from college to the pros could be an adjustment, though.

Curt Miller, Stephanie White and Nicki Collen, who was on Smesko's staff in 2014-15, all found success in the WNBA after coaching in college. They spent time as assistants in the W before taking a head coaching role, though, which helped them familiarize themselves with the league.

More than anything, hiring the right head coach might also only go so far for the Dream, who lack a true foundational star to help get them over the top. They're still waiting for Rhyne Howard, a two-time All-Star, to make her big breakthrough.

Without a bona fide elite talent on the roster, Atlanta could have a firm ceiling on its ambitions, and finding that kind of piece outside of the organization could be easier said than done.

The top free agents heading into this winter probably won't change teams, and executing a blockbuster trade is complicated by the fact that teams and players are in a holding pattern in anticipation of a new CBA. A total of 30 players are signed for the 2026 season, per Spotrac, and no team has more than five contracts on the books.

For now, maximizing what he has on the roster will be Smesko's top priority. Should the Dream go on to have some success in 2025, it can then help the organization make a compelling sales pitch in what could be a free-agency bonanza in 2026.

The Atlanta Dream announced Wednesday they fired head coach Tanisha Wright.

While the Dream made the playoffs in 2024, they posted their third straight losing season under Wright.

"Tanisha was an important contributor in our efforts to rebuild the Dream, and we want to thank her for her hard work and dedication to the Dream over the last three seasons and wish her the best in the future," general manager Dan Padover said in a statement.

"At this time, we believe a change is needed to lead our players and organization to the next chapter in our efforts to be a top team in the WNBA."

We have made the difficult decision to part ways with head coach Tanisha Wright. pic.twitter.com/BkEkdrvWIR

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) October 2, 2024

Wright finished runner-up for Coach of the Year in 2022 despite the Dream only finishing 14-22. She oversaw Rhyne Howard's Rookie of the Year campaign and was credited for improving the general culture around the team.

Atlanta rewarded Wright with a contract extension in December 2022, and acquiring Allisha Gray from the Dallas Wings the following month pointed to the organization's larger ambitions.

The Dream were simply unable to take that next step up in either 2023 or 2024, though. Each of their two postseason trips ended in first-round sweeps, first to Dallas and then to the New York Liberty.

Their offensive futility was particularly frustrating considering the pieces the front office put at Wright's disposal. They never finished higher than ninth in offensive rating in her three years.

Not coincidentally, Howard's development has stagnated.

As a rookie, she averaged 18.6 points and 3.2 assists per 36 minutes while shooting 36.1 percent from the floor, according to Basketball Reference. In 2024, the 6'2" guard had per-36 averages of 18.4 points and 3.4 assists and shot 37.1 percent overall.

Atlanta's floor under Wright was higher than it had been under previous coaches. Michael Cooper was let go in 2017 after posting a 12-22 record and the Dream won 15 combined games over Nicki Collen's final two years before she left for Baylor.

But it became harder to point to reasons for optimism about the team's direction absent a coaching change.

As is the case with pretty much every WNBA team, it's difficult to project too far into the future with the Dream. They have two players under contract in 2026, while Howard and Naz Hillmon are restricted free agents.

The presence of Howard alone is likely to make Atlanta an attractive opportunity for prospective targets, and the franchise's longstanding issues to attract talent in free agency might be less of an issue in 2026 because so many stars are due to hit the open market.

Padover should be able to make an impactful hire if he wants to see immediate results rather than pivot toward a reset.

Tina Charles stands alone as the greatest rebounder in WNBA history.

The Atlanta Dream star pulled in her 4,007th rebound on Thursday, passing Sylvia Fowles as the WNBA's all-time leading rebounder.

A look at the rebound that made history 🙌

Tina Charles now sits atop the WNBA All-Time Rebounds Leaders List with 4,007 REB and counting!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/y4lJL7o5fy

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 19, 2024

Later in the game, she passed Fowles with her 194th career double-double:

Another accolade for an all-time great 👏

With her performance tonight, Tina Charles tallies the 194th double-double of her career, passing Sylvia Fowles for most such games in WNBA history.#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/Zg3Q0Mhz0T

— WNBA (@WNBA) September 20, 2024

Charles, a 14-year veteran, has averaged 9.3 rebounds per game across her career and is averaging 9.6 this season. The former No. 1 overall pick in the 2010 draft averaged double-digit rebounds for the first four seasons of her career.

Fowles, who retired in 2022, put up 9.8 boards per game across her 15-year career, reaching the 4,006-rebound mark in 408 games.

Charles was drafted by the Connecticut Sun after a historic career at UConn and played for the Sun from 2010 until 2013. During her time in Connecticut, she won Rookie of the Year in 2010 and an MVP in 2012. She joined the New York Liberty in 2014 and played there until 2019. She played for the Washington Mystics, Phoenix Mercury and Seattle Storm across the 2021 and 2022 seasons.

After not being signed to a team in 2023, Charles landed with Dream ahead of the 2024 season and has had a resurgence in the late stages of her career, averaging 15 points and 9.6 boards per game this year.

Tina Charles is already a WNBA legend, but she made some more history Wednesday.

The Atlanta Dream center drilled a three-pointer in the fourth quarter of Wednesday's contest against the Phoenix Mercury, which moved her into second place on the league's all-time scoring list.

A look at the three-pointer that moved Tina Charles into 2nd all-time in scoring 🙌#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/Qapr9qLEoE

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 22, 2024

She surpassed Tina Thompson's mark of 7,488 career points and now trails only Diana Taurasi on the all-time list:

Check out the Top 10 👏

Tonight, Tina Charles passed Tina Thompson and moves into 2nd-place on the all-time PTS list in WNBA history!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/fgoPeP2Ua8

— WNBA (@WNBA) August 22, 2024

Charles entered the WNBA as the No. 1 overall pick of the 2010 draft after she played collegiately at UConn. The Connecticut Sun selected her with that first pick, and she played her first four seasons with the team before joining the New York Liberty.

She has also played for the Washington Mystics, Mercury and Seattle Storm.

This is just the latest accomplishment on a resume that includes the 2012 league MVP when she was in Connecticut and eight All-Star selections. Charles has averaged 17.9 points per game throughout her career and has remained productive in her age-35 season for the Dream.

She entered Wednesday's game averaging 14.0 points and 8.4 rebounds a night while shooting 46.2 percent from the field and 30.8 percent from deep. Atlanta is fighting for a playoff spot, and her contributions have helped keep the team in the mix.

Whether the Dream make the postseason or not, Charles' place in WNBA history is secure.

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray became the first WNBA player to win the Skills Challenge and 3-Point Contest in a single year on Friday in Phoenix.

What a night for Allisha Gray 👏

She wins both the 2024 @kiausa Skills Challenge and the 2024 WNBA STARRY 3-PT Contest!#KiaSkills | @starrylemonlime | #Starry3PT pic.twitter.com/kCm0evfD0a

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

It's all love from the Atlanta Dream 🥹@starrylemonlime | #Starry3PT pic.twitter.com/db7Nd6enKV

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

Gray first took down the Skills Challenge, defeating Phoenix Mercury wing Sophia Cunningham in the finals of the five-player competition. She clocked in a time of 32.1 seconds, good enough to best Cunningham's 34.5-second mark.

Alisha Gray clocks in a time 32.1 seconds in the Final Round of the Skills Challenge to win it 🏆

(via @WNBA)
pic.twitter.com/tKKIsW4XhK

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 20, 2024

Gray also had the best time in the first round.

OH MY ALLISHA GRAY 🤯

The Atlanta Dream guard goes off in the 1st round of the Kia Skills Challenge for a time of 31.2 seconds!@Kia | #SkillsChallenge | ESPN pic.twitter.com/edX9VmPuaV

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

Gray then held off a great charge from New York Liberty center Jonquel Jones to defeat her challenger, 22-21 in the 3-Point Contest finals.

Allisha Gray drops 22 PTS in the Final Round of the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest to be crowned this year's CHAMPION 🏆@starrylemonlime | #Starry3PT pic.twitter.com/sdoGxhDWNN

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

THE MOMENT.

Allisha Gray becomes the first player in WNBA History to win both the Kia Skills Challenge and the WNBA STARRY® 3-Point Contest in the same year 🔥 pic.twitter.com/07GC5sKbij

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

Jones found herself down to just one moneyball left on the final rack down 22-21. A make would have given her the 23-22 win, but the shot hit the side rim, giving Gray the sweep.

Gray scored 23 in the first round to advance to the finals from the five-player first round. Jones dropped 25 points to lead the way.

Gray became just the third player in WNBA history to win both contests. San Antonio Silver Stars guard (and now Las Vegas Aces head coach) Becky Hammon was the first (2007 3-Point, 2009 Skills), and Liberty guard Sabrina Ionescu was the second (2022 Skills, 2023 3-Point).

But now Gray has done it all in one year. And she won a $110,000 bonus ($55,000 apiece for winning each contest) courtesy of Aflac. Couple that with her additional $5,150 prize winnings from the WNBA for the victories, and Gray earned herself a great night.

$110,000 in less than 2 hours >>> https://t.co/IUoCJT34jL

— Arielle (Ari) Chambers (@ariivory) July 20, 2024

The seven-year veteran, who joined the WNBA in 2017 after a fantastic collegiate career at South Carolina, has averaged 15.5 points, 4.1 rebounds and 2.5 assists this year. She's firmly in her prime now having made her second straight All-Star Game this season.

And now she's receiving great praise for her fantastic efforts, including her ex-college head coach Dawn Staley and former college teammate A'ja Wilson.

Lish with the sweep! @WNBA champ of the skills challenge and the 3pt challenge. When “it’s a possibility” becomes a reality! I see you @Graytness_15!! @aflac one check please! 🤣🤣🤣 pic.twitter.com/XMY8MfkgBg

— dawnstaley (@dawnstaley) July 20, 2024

https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22/status/1814490486532723070

https://twitter.com/_ajawilson22/status/1814492633680826693

How Allisha Gray finna walk into all the All-Star parties this weekend after winning both competitions lol : pic.twitter.com/AgFXdcZImr

— Chris Williamson (@CWilliamson44) July 20, 2024

ALLISHA GRAY pic.twitter.com/4S5xLBOmsk

— Jessica (@jessicawinslow) July 20, 2024

Remember when they said SC players couldn't shoot and that Dawn didn't develop shooters...

Allisha Gray 3pt contest champion!!

L O L pic.twitter.com/UGBJhl7OJ4

— C'am💫 (@GamecocksPlsWin) July 20, 2024

Allisha Gray going home with A LOT of money💰💰 #WNBAAllStar pic.twitter.com/FP6g6SjiPP

— Vanshay Murdock 🎥🎥 (@VanshayM) July 20, 2024

Gray will now represent the WNBA All-Stars when they take on the USA Women's National Team on Saturday at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Atlanta Dream guard Allisha Gray won the 2024 WNBA All-Star Skills Challenge on Friday night.

Your 2024 Kia Skills Challenge Champion, Allisha Gray 🏆@Kia | #KiaSkills pic.twitter.com/wSypQ92HCO

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

ALLISHA GRAY WINS THE FINAL ROUND OF THE KIA SKILLS CHALLENGE WITH A TIME OF 32.1 SECONDS 🙌@Kia | #KiaSkills pic.twitter.com/z6t3NRO1KF

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 20, 2024

Allisha Gray after winning the 2024 Kia Skills Challenge 🤩 pic.twitter.com/CHSP4mfYg5

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 20, 2024

Gray emerged from a competitive field that included Connecticut Sun guard Marina Mabrey as well as Phoenix Mercury teammates Brittney Griner and Sophie Cunningham. Erica Wheeler was initially set to compete in the event, although she was eventually replaced by Indiana Fever teammate Kelsey Mitchell due to travel issues.

Kelsey Mitchell is subbing in for Erica Wheeler at tonight's @wnba Skills Challenge due to travel issues.

And she'll be repping her jersey 😍 pic.twitter.com/sI5EtumVuk

— Indiana Fever (@IndianaFever) July 20, 2024

The five players competed for the fastest time in an obstacle course that tested their passing, shooting, and dribbling skills. Gray and Cunningham earned the two available spots in the final round, with the latter narrowly defeating Mabrey's first-round time by 0.2 seconds in order to advance.

Sophie Cunningham makes the Skills Challenge Finals by 0.2 SECONDS 😮 pic.twitter.com/AYNTOfK0N2

— Yahoo Sports (@YahooSports) July 20, 2024

However, Cunningham was unable to take down Gray in the second round. The Atlanta All-Star finished with the fastest time in the opening round at 31.2 seconds before wrapping up her final performance at 32.1 seconds.

Fans and players alike were impressed with Gray's speed throughout the competition. She even got a shoutout from Atlanta Hawks star Trae Young.

ALLISHA GRAY!!! Way to rep🔥🔥🔥 #WNBAAllStar @AtlantaDream

— Trae Young (@TheTraeYoung) July 20, 2024

GoldMedallish 🔥🔥🔥🔥.
So happy for Allisha Gray, she represented Atlanta Dream so well.

— ¥ud!n_ ® (@omoDnibuA) July 20, 2024

Ok how did I go this long without realizing Allisha Gray is 🔥??

My apologies, Allisha. 🏆

You are officially on my radar, girl.

— Jess (@FeverBandwagon) July 20, 2024

Congrats Allisha Gray …… she so fast man 🔥🔥❤️🫶🏾 #WNBAAllStar

— Darsylle|The Original Soca Empress🇲🇸🌋🇰🇳 (@Dee_Banks589) July 20, 2024

Allisha Gray quick AF

— K-Rob (@MrCissic) July 20, 2024

Allisha Gray like pic.twitter.com/MWksLnSL9e

— Sully (@sully2x) July 20, 2024

Allisha Gray is crazy fast 💨 congrats to her on becoming the 2024 WNBA Skills Challenge champion. #WNBAAllStar

— Kelsey Nicole Nelson (KNN) (@therealknelson) July 20, 2024

Despite the Dream's 7-17 record, Gray has been one of the their bright spots by averaging 15.5 points and 4.1 rebounds per game while shooting 42.3 percent from the field and 36.0 percent from three-point range.

The 2017 WNBA Rookie of the Year will be taking some more hardware home after her performance on Friday night.

Atlanta Dream center Tina Charles has passed Basketball Hall of Famer Tamika Catchings for third all-time on the WNBA's scoring list.

Tina Charles moves up to third all-time on the WNBA scoring list 📈 pic.twitter.com/sQsbtYY8h2

— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) July 6, 2024

With her 10th point tonight, Tina Charles passed Tamika Catchings for No. 3 on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.

1. Diana Taurasi — 10,423+ PTS
2. Tina Thompson — 7,488 PTS
3. Tina Charles — 7,381+ PTS
4. Tamika Catchings — 7,380 PTS pic.twitter.com/XI1M35ndP6

— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) July 6, 2024

Charles earned the honor after her fourth-quarter layup gave Atlanta a 67-65 lead over the host Dallas Wings on Friday.

Moving on up 📈

A look at the bucket that moved Tina Charles into 3rd on the All-Time points list!#WelcometotheW pic.twitter.com/1P7ssAYswU

— WNBA (@WNBA) July 6, 2024

Charles' long list of accolades include the 2012 WNBA MVP award, eight WNBA All-Star honors and five All-WNBA First Teams. The three-time Olympic gold medalist is also a member of the WNBA's 25th Anniversary team.

It's more likely than not that Charles will finish this season second on the WNBA's all-time scoring list.

After Friday, Charles has scored 7,383 career points, just 105 behind Basketball Hall of Famer Tina Thompson in second. She's averaging 14.1 points per game this season, and the Dream have 21 regular-season games remaining.

So if Charles scores around her current average for eight more games, she'll surpass Thompson to take solo second. So keep an eye out in mid-August or so, when the Dream have a five-game homestand from Aug. 16-26.

As for the game, the Dream fell 85-82 to the Wings. Charles finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.

Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard is out indefinitely after suffering a left ankle injury on Wednesday, per ESPN's Michael Voepel.

According to Voepel, the Dream said they will provide a timeline for Howard's return in the coming weeks.

Howard, who is averaging 15.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.4 assists and 2.2 steals this season, injured her ankle after stepping on the foot of Minnesota Lynx guard Courtney Williams in the third quarter of Wednesday's loss.

Howard is a member of the 2024 US 3X3 Olympic team and her availability for the Olympic Games is unclear at the moment.

Before Howard's injury, Los Angeles Sparks rookie and member of the 3X3 Olympic team Cameron Brink suffered a torn ACL in her left knee, sidelining her for the Olympics and the remainder of the season. Brink averaged 7.5 points, 5.3 rebounds and 1.7 assists in 15 games this year.

The other members of the team consist of Cierra Burdick, a former WNBA player and current member of Valencia Basket Club, and Hailey Van Lith, who plays for TCU.

The Paris Four 🙌

Introducing the 2024 USA 3x3 Women's National Team! 🇺🇸 #3x3WNT pic.twitter.com/sNIWMH4ivJ

— USA Basketball 3x3 (@usab3x3) June 5, 2024

The 3X3 Olympic team will have to replace Brink, as each team needs to have one substitution, but it might also have to replace Howard if she's unable to return in time.

For now, Howard will focus on making her return to the court, where she has enjoyed a successful career thus far. The first overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft out of Kentucky, she went on to win Rookie of the Year and has already been named to a pair of All-Star teams.