Atlanta receives a top pick in the Draft for the fourth time in franchise history

ATLANTA, GA (Dec. 19, 2021) – The Atlanta Dream received the third pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft Lottery presented by State Farm, which aired live on ESPN Sunday afternoon. The selection marks the Dream’s second consecutive No. 3 overall selection.

The Dream will select in the lottery for only the fourth time in franchise history. Most recently, Atlanta selected Aari McDonald with the No. 3 overall selection in 2021, just a year after drafting Chennedy Carter with the No. 4 selection in 2020 – the team’s first top-four pick since its first year of lottery eligibility in 2009. The Dream’s only other lottery pick was Angel McCoughtry in 2009, who went on to set – and still hold – nearly every franchise scoring record in 10 years with the Dream.

“It’s really exciting for us to have the No. 3 pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft,” said Dream head coach Tanisha Wright. “What we’re really looking to do with this selection is add a competitive player to our roster who will play hard for us every single night. The player we draft will really help us build the foundation for who the Dream are both on and off the court.”

2022 WNBA Draft Lottery order of finish (combined 2020 and 2021 record/odds of winning)

1 – Washington Mystics (21-33 / 17.80%)

2 – Indiana Fever (12-42 / 44.20%)

3 – Atlanta Dream (15-39 / 27.60%)

4 – Dallas Wings (27-27 / 10.40%)

Atlanta’s all-time first round draft picks (2008-20)

1 – Angel McCoughtry (2009)
2 – N/A
3 – Aari McDonald (2021), TBD (2022)
4 – Chennedy Carter (2020)
5 – N/A
6 – N/A
7 – Brittney Sykes (2017)
8 – Tamera Young (2008), Ta’Shia Phillips (2011)*, Shoni Schimmel (2014)
9 – Chanel Mokango (2010)
10 – Samantha Logic (2015)
11 – Bria Holmes (2016), Brianna Turner (2019)^
12 – N/A

* The Dream traded guard Kelly Miller, the team’s 2011 No. 8 overall draft pick Ta’Shia Phillips and a first round pick in 2012 to the Mystics in exchange for Lindsey Harding and a second round pick in 2012
^ Traded to Phoenix for the Mercury’s 2018 First Round Selection, Marie Gülich
The Dream drafted Sancho Lyttle at No. 1 overall in the 2009 Houston Comets Dispersal Draft

Current Dream players originally drafted in the first round:

• Odyssey Sims (2014 – 2^nd overall by Tulsa)
• Shekinna Stricklen (2012 – 2^nd overall by Seattle)
• Aari McDonald (2021 – 3^rd overall by Atlanta)
• Chennedy Carter (2020 – 4^th overall by Atlanta)
• Elizabeth Williams (2015 – 4^th overall by Connecticut)
• Tianna Hawkins (2013 – 6^th overall by Seattle)
• Candice Dupree (2006 – 6^th overall by Chicago)

The Atlanta Dream will tip off their milestone 15^th season in the WNBA in May 2022. The team currently plays home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park and has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 14 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and purchase 2022 season tickets, please visit www.dreamelitemembership.com, call 877-977-7729 or email tickets@atlantadream.net.

 

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COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – The College Park Skyhawks announced today that forward Jalen Johnson has been recalled by the Atlanta Hawks, while two-way players and guards Sharife Cooper and Skylar Mays have been transferred to the Atlanta Hawks.

All three players started in both College Park Skyhawks games to begin the season. Cooper averaged 18.5 points, 5.0 assists and 2.5 rebounds in 33.4 minutes in the two games. Johnson compiled 13.5 points, 11.0 rebounds and 2.0 assists in 32.3 minutes, including a 21-point, 12-rebound performance on Nov. 7 vs. Maine. Mays averaged 15.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 2.5 assists and 3.0 steals across the two games.

The Skyhawks will continue their regular season with a “Hoops for Heroes Night” when they host the Delaware Blue Coats on Nov. 19 at 7 p.m. ET. That will be the first of two games against the Blue Coats, with the second coming on Nov. 21 at 2 p.m. ET.

#Southside#

ABOUT COLLEGE PARK SKYHAWKS

Home to the world’s most traveled airport in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Georgia’s newest convention center, the Georgia International Convention Center, the city of College Park is the home of the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. The Skyhawks host games at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park, a 3500-seat multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, that is the premier event facility in south Atlanta. Owned and operated by the Atlanta Hawks, the Skyhawks ownership team also includes Grammy Award-winning recording artist, hip-hop superstar and College Park native 2 Chainz. Season-Ticket Memberships are on-sale now! Founding Members will experience exclusive benefits, such as VIP Member Events, discounts on Skyhawks merchandise, and a personal contact in the front office. To find out more, email info@cpskyhawks.com, visit www.cpskyhawks.com or call 404-878-3370.

Renee Montgomery presented the court in a ceremony on Monday night

COLLEGE PARK, GA – The Atlanta Dream ownership group of Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair and Renee Montgomery donated the team’s home basketball court to Hoop Nation ATL, a multi-purpose basketball facility owned by Dream All-Star Tiffany Hayes.

Atlanta Dream Co-Owner and Vice President Renee Montgomery presented the court to Hoop Nation ATL in a ceremony on Monday night (November 16). The dedication took place during Renee’s Runs, a free weekly women’s pick-up program held every Monday night from 8-10 p.m. at Hoop Nation ATL. The runs are designed to promote women’s health and fitness, tracked by the program’s technology partner, 1891©.

“Investing in women starts in the community, and we’re excited to begin with Hoop Nation ATL,” Montgomery said. “Tiffany Hayes and her family are investing in College Park and we are thrilled to have the chance to support them.”

The court was installed this month by Dominique Wilkins’ CBA Sports and will give basketball players of all ages an opportunity to play on a professional court, and puts WNBA branding front and center to build brand familiarity among Hoop Nation patrons.

Hoop Nation ATL was opened by Hayes in February 2020 and is now home to several youth programs that target primarily underserved communities on the southside of Atlanta. The facility offers camps and classes for basketball players of all experience and ages, seasonal basketball leagues and pick-up leagues like Renee’s Runs.

Hoop Nation ATL is located in College Park, Georgia at 4855 Old National Hwy in Atlanta, Ga 30337.

The Atlanta Dream will tip off their 15^th season in the WNBA in 2022. The organization, who plays its home games at the Gateway Center Arena @ College Park, has qualified for the WNBA Playoffs in nine of its first 14 seasons. To learn more about the Dream and inquire about 2022 season tickets, please visit www.atlantadream.net, call 877-977-7729 or email tickets@atlantadream.net.

 

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Kelsey Bibik
Public Relations Manager | Atlanta Dream
101 Marietta Street NW Suite 3550
Atlanta, GA 30303
C: 858-361-9855
W: 404-920-2545
dreammediacentral.com

— Postseason to Consist of Three Rounds Featuring a Best-of 3-5-5 Series Format —

— Top Eight Teams to Qualify for Bracket-Style Postseason —

 

NEW YORK, Nov. 18, 2021 – The WNBA Board of Governors approved changes to the league’s playoff format and postseason seeding, effective with the 2022 season, the WNBA announced today.  The reconfigured postseason structure will include three rounds of series-play using a best-of 3-5-5 format.

Beginning with the WNBA’s 26^th season, the eight teams with the highest winning percentages over a 36-game schedule regardless of conference will qualify for the playoffs and be seeded based on their record. All eight playoff teams will participate in first-round, bracket-style play consisting of four best-of-three series.

In one bracket, first-round play will place the No. 1 seed facing the No. 8 seed and the No. 4 seed versus the No. 5 seed in a best-of-three series, with the winners advancing to a best-of-five semifinals series against one another. In the other bracket, the No. 3 seed will face the No. 6 seed and the No. 2 seed will meet the No. 7 seed, with the winners moving on to face one another in the other best-of-five semifinals series.

The winners of the semifinals series will then meet in the WNBA Finals, which also will be a best-of-five series, to determine the WNBA champion.

Additional elements regarding the playoff structure are as follows:

• The number of playoff rounds shifts from four to three and no teams will receive a bye to start the postseason. Teams will not be reseeded following the first round.
• The planned change for the first-round series games will include a 2-1 format in which the higher seed will host Games 1 and 2 and the lower seed will host Game 3 if necessary.
• The new format will add eight potential games to the playoff footprint.
• The semifinals and WNBA Finals will each remain unchanged as best-of-five series and follow the same 2-2-1 format whereby the higher seed hosts Games 1, 2 and 5, and the lower-seeded team will host Games 3 and 4 in their respective series.

“We have been evaluating different playoff formats over the past 12 months, and the new playoff format being announced today will enable fans to engage with all of the league’s best teams and top stars right from the start of the postseason with all eight championship contenders immediately involved in exciting, first-round action,” said WNBA Commissioner Cathy Engelbert. “Following significant discussions with our Competition Committee and a Playoff subcommittee we formed last year, it was clear that while the prior format’s single-elimination games created a win-and-advance level of excitement to the start of the postseason, the new best-of-three series format will provide added opportunities to create and showcase rivalries with all playoff-eligible teams participating.”

The prior playoff format, adopted in 2016 consisted of four rounds using a 1-1-5-5 format, with two single elimination rounds and the No. 1 and 2 seeds receiving double-byes into the semifinals.  The new playoff format being announced today will provide the top eight teams with a consistent start to their playoff runs.

About the WNBA

Having just completed its 25^th season in 2021, the WNBA is a bold, progressive basketball league that stands for the power of women.  Featuring 12 teams, the W is a unique sports property that combines competition and entertainment with a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion and social responsibility.  Through its world-class athletes, the in-game fan experience, TV and digital broadcasts, digital and social content and community outreach programs, the league celebrates and elevates the game of basketball and the culture around it.

In 2020, the WNBA and the Women’s National Basketball Players Association (WNBPA) signed a groundbreaking eight-year CBA that charts a new course for women’s basketball—and women’s sports overall—with a focus on increased player compensation, improvements to the player experience, expanded career development opportunities, and resources specifically tailored to the female professional athlete. Key elements of the agreement are supported through the league’s new platform, WNBA Changemakers, with AT&T, the WNBA’s Marquee Partner and inaugural Changemaker, as well as fellow inaugural Changemakers Deloitte and Nike, and the recent addition of Google. During the 2020 season, the WNBA and WNBPA launched the WNBA Justice Movement forming the Social Justice Council with the mission of being a driving force of necessary change and continuing conversations about race and voting rights, among other important societal issues.  For more information, visit WNBA.com.

 

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Contact:  Ron Howard, (212) 407-8641, rhoward@nba.com

Sam Tager, (212) 407-8358, stager@nba.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 11/5/21
CONTACT: Jerome Schwich, College Park Skyhawks Communications, (773) 329-1225

SHARIFE COOPER, JALEN JOHNSON AND SKYLAR MAYS RE-JOIN COLLEGE PARK SKYHAWKS

COLLEGE PARK, Ga. – The College Park Skyhawks announced today that forward Jalen Johnson has been assigned to the College Park Skyhawks, while two-way players and guards Sharife Cooper and Skylar Mays have been transferred to the College Park Skyhawks.

Johnson and Mays each played three minutes in the Hawks’ Thursday night defeat to the Utah Jazz.

The Skyhawks open their regular season with two home games this weekend against the Maine Celtics. The home opener on Friday night, presented by Emory Healthcare, will tip-off at 7 p.m. ET at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park. The two teams will match up again in College Park on Sunday afternoon, with that game set to tip at 2 p.m. ET.

#Southside#

 ABOUT COLLEGE PARK SKYHAWKS

Home to the world’s most traveled airport in Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International and Georgia’s newest convention center, the Georgia International Convention Center, the city of College Park is the home of the Atlanta Hawks’ NBA G League affiliate, the College Park Skyhawks. The Skyhawks host games at the Gateway Center Arena at College Park, a 3500-seat multipurpose sports and entertainment venue, that is the premier event facility in south Atlanta. Owned and operated by the Atlanta Hawks, the Skyhawks ownership team also includes Grammy Award-winning recording artist, hip-hop superstar and College Park native 2 Chainz. Season-Ticket Memberships are on-sale now! Founding Members will experience exclusive benefits, such as VIP Member Events, discounts on Skyhawks merchandise, and a personal contact in the front office. To find out more, email info@cpskyhawks.com, visitwww.cpskyhawks.com or call 404-878-3370.

The Atlanta Dream today announced industry veteran Tanisha Wright will join the team as head coach. As the fifth head coach in franchise history, Wright brings over 14 years of experience in the league as a player and coach to this role, most recently serving as an assistant coach for the Las Vegas Aces.

“It’s an honor to be chosen as head coach for the Atlanta Dream, and I’m excited to play a role in building a successful organization centered around the player experience,” said Wright. “I have been part of championship teams and understand what it takes to win in this league. I look forward to bringing my talents to this franchise and helping the Dream achieve success.”

As head coach, Wright will be responsible for fostering the growth of the Dream’s players and establishing a culture of integrity and accountability.  She comes to the Dream during a pivotal year in which the organization welcomed the new ownership group including WNBA All Star Renee Montgomery, the first former player to become both an owner and executive in the WNBA.

Wright’s announcement is yet another positive milestone in building the Dream organization, as former NFL executive Morgan Shaw Parker was recently named President and COO. Earlier this year, the Dream was also named the 2020 ESPN Sports Humanitarian Team of the Year for the players’ remarkable work last year championing social justice efforts that influenced the Georgia Senate election.

Read Full Release

ATLANTA – The College Park SkyHawks today announced Steve Gansey as the team’s head coach. Per team policy, terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

“Steve is a dynamic, hard-working and experienced leader who has seen a lot of success in the G League, both in terms of wins as well as player development. As we resume play in College Park this season, we’re excited to welcome Steve to the SkyHawks family,” said SkyHawks General Manager Tori Miller.

Read the full article on the Skyhawks website »

CMO of AMB Sports + Entertainment to oversee team’s business operations, drive community outreach and engagement

Atlanta, Georgia (September 8, 2021) – The Atlanta Dream announced today that NFL Executive Morgan Shaw Parker will join the team as President and Chief Operating Officer. A remarkable milestone for the Dream and Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA), Shaw Parker brings over 25 years of experience and values-driven leadership at all levels of the sports industry. Most recently she served as Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer at Arthur M. Blank Sports & Entertainment (AMBSE) where she led marketing and communications initiatives for the Atlanta Falcons and Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Prior to AMBSE, Shaw Parker spent over a decade at Nike, Inc., five years with the Kansas City Chiefs and several years with two industry-leading sports marketing agencies.

Read the full article on the Atlanta Dream’s website »