Atlanta Dream facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Atlanta Dream
Conference	Eastern
Leagues	WNBA
Founded	2008
History	Atlanta Dream 2008–present
Arena	Gateway Center Arena
Location	College Park, Georgia
Team colors	Red, dark grey, light grey, light blue, white
Main sponsor	Emory Healthcare
General manager	Dan Padover
Head coach	Karl Smesko
Assistant(s)	Camryn Brown Chelsea Lyles LaToya Sanders Brandi Poole
Ownership	Larry Gottesdiener Suzanne Abair Renee Montgomery
Championships	0
Conference titles	3 (2010, 2011, 2013)
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The Atlanta Dream are an American professional basketball team. They play games in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Dream play in the Women's National Basketball Association, which is called the WNBA. They compete in the Eastern Conference. The club began playing during the 2008 WNBA season. Today, Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and former player Renee Montgomery own the club. The Dream share their home area with the Atlanta Hawks of the NBA. However, the two basketball clubs are separate groups. The team wears bright red, blue, dark grey, and white colors during their games.

The Dream have earned spots in the WNBA playoffs many times. They reached the WNBA Finals three different times. Famous athletes have worn the Dream uniform over the years. These players include University of Louisville stars Angel McCoughtry and Shoni Schimmel. Other greats include Betty Lennox and international star Izi Castro Marques. In 2010, the Dream played in the WNBA Finals against the Seattle Storm. They played in the championship series again against the Minnesota Lynx in 2011. They met the Minnesota Lynx again during the 2013 WNBA Finals.

History of the Atlanta Dream Franchise

Before the team existed, women's basketball had a great moment in Atlanta. The United States women's team won gold during the 1996 Olympic Games. Soon after, the American Basketball League created a team called the Atlanta Glory. That early team competed at Forbes Arena. That league closed down after a few seasons. Local leaders still wanted a women's professional sports team for the city.

In early 2007, business leaders and local politicians joined together. They wanted to convince the WNBA to expand into Georgia. The league looked at places like Philips Arena and Alexander Memorial Coliseum. Another option was The Arena at Gwinnett Center. Fans signed petitions to show support. Over one thousand people promised to buy season tickets. A businessman named Ron Terwilliger stepped forward to buy the new club. On October 17, 2007, WNBA president Donna Orender officially announced the brand-new team.

The team picked Marynell Meadors to be their first head coach and general manager. Meadors previously worked with the Charlotte Sting, the Miami Sol, and the Washington Mystics. She had also worked beside coaches like Richie Adubato and Tree Rollins. Leaders held a contest to pick a nickname and team colors. Fans chose the name "Dream." The name honors the speech I Have a Dream by civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr.. Dr. King was born in Atlanta, Georgia.

Building the Team and Early Playoff Years

The team began building its roster in February 2008. They held an expansion draft to pick athletes from other teams. The Dream traded Roneeka Hodges to the Seattle Storm. In that trade, they received Brazilian scorer Izi Castro Marques. They also made a deal with the Detroit Shock to add Ivory Latta. Later, they traded player LaToya Thomas. The team picked young talent in the 2008 WNBA draft.

The Dream had a very tough start during their first year. They lost their opening game against the Connecticut Sun. They continued to lose games through early July against the Houston Comets. The squad lost 17 games in a row. That was a league record for consecutive losses to start a season. The previous record belonged to the 2002 Detroit Shock and the 2006 Chicago Sky. On July 5, 2008, the Dream finally beat the Chicago Sky. That exciting 91–84 win brought huge cheers from their home fans. The team finished that first hard summer with a 4–30 record.

Coach Meadors worked hard to add better players for the 2009 season. The Dream added talented players like Sancho Lyttle and guard Nikki Teasley. They also signed experienced stars Chamique Holdsclaw and Michelle Snow. Best of all, they drafted superstar forward Angel McCoughtry. The team improved dramatically, winning 18 games and reaching the WNBA playoffs. Even though the Detroit Shock defeated them, Meadors won the WNBA Coach of the Year Award. Kathy Betty became the team's new leader after Ron Terwilliger stepped down.

Reaching the WNBA Finals Three Times

The Dream enjoyed tremendous success during the 2010 WNBA season. They finished fourth in their conference but caught fire in the postseason. Atlanta swept the New York Liberty to capture the Eastern Conference championship. That victory sent the Dream straight to the 2010 WNBA Finals. They faced a powerhouse team, the Seattle Storm, at KeyArena. Even though Seattle won the series, every game was decided by three points or fewer. The young Atlanta club proved they could compete with the very best teams.

Before the next season, the Dream traded for All-Star guard Lindsey Harding. The team started slowly because Angel McCoughtry missed games due to injury. Key forward Sancho Lyttle also missed early time. However, the Dream played great basketball after the mid-season break. They swept through the Connecticut Sun during the playoffs. Then they defeated the Indiana Fever to win another conference trophy. In the 2011 WNBA Finals, they faced a very tough Minnesota Lynx team. Atlanta played hard but lost the series in three games. Investors Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler bought the franchise that same year.

In 2012, coach Fred Williams took over the team during the regular season. The team fought hard and made the playoffs again. In 2013, Williams led the Dream back to the WNBA Finals. It was their third trip to the championship series in four years. They played the strong Minnesota Lynx once again. Minnesota won the series, but the Dream showed great determination throughout the postseason. Former NBA star Michael Cooper became the head coach for the 2014 season. Cooper guided the Dream back to the playoffs in both 2014 and 2016.

Changes and Rebuilding the Roster

The team hired coach Nicki Collen in October 2017. Collen had worked as a top assistant for the Connecticut Sun. Under her leadership, the Dream won 23 games during the 2018 season. They finished in first place in the Eastern Conference. They made a deep run before losing in the playoff semifinals. During that year, Angel McCoughtry suffered a serious knee injury. In 2019, players like Tiffany Hayes scored many points, but the team struggled. Atlanta finished with the lowest record in the conference that summer.

The Dream refreshed their look with a brand-new logo before the 2020 season. Angel McCoughtry moved to the Las Vegas Aces, which marked a big change. Key veteran Elizabeth Williams remained to help lead the squad. The team drafted exciting scorer Chennedy Carter in the 2020 WNBA draft. Atlanta played the 2020 season inside a special safety environment. The players used their public voices to talk about fair treatment and community causes. They supported Raphael Warnock in his campaign for the United States Senate. Warnock won that election, and the team received national attention for their unity.

In early 2021, a new ownership group took control of the club. Former Dream player Renee Montgomery joined Larry Gottesdiener and Suzanne Abair as owners. Montgomery made history by becoming a player-owner in the league. Coach Collen departed, and Mike Petersen took over as interim coach. Health concerns caused Petersen to step aside, so Darius Taylor finished the season. The team went through many changes on and off the basketball court. In early 2022, Atlanta traded Carter to the Los Angeles Sparks for veteran guard Erica Wheeler.

New Leadership and the Rhyne Howard Era

The Dream began an exciting new chapter by hiring Tanisha Wright as coach. Wright played twelve seasons in the league as a tough defensive guard. She brought assistants like Paul Goriss and Barbara Turner onto her coaching staff. She also hired Christie Sides to help instruct the players. Atlanta formed great partnerships with community brands, including Microsoft and Xbox. They also placed Emory Healthcare as a primary sponsor on their official uniforms.

The Dream made a big trade before the 2022 WNBA draft with the Washington Mystics. Atlanta gained the number one overall draft selection. They picked college star Rhyne Howard from the Kentucky Wildcats. Howard had been named an All-American college player three times. She brought great scoring, rebounding, and smart passing skills to Atlanta. Howard immediately helped the Dream win games and became a fan favorite. In 2024, the team added legendary player Tina Charles and speedy guard Jordin Canada.

In late 2024, coach Karl Smesko took charge of the team. During the 2025 season, the Dream signed famous center Brittney Griner. They also added top talents like Allisha Gray and Brionna Jones. The Dream played outstanding basketball, winning 30 regular season games. They finished first in the Eastern Conference standings before facing the Indiana Fever in the playoffs. In 2026, the team launched a special "Homegrown" uniform campaign with Nike, Inc.. The colorful uniforms celebrate the state of Georgia with peach designs and classic Atlanta symbols.

Home Arenas Through the Years

The Dream have welcomed fans into several different arenas around Georgia. The team played their very first game at Philips Arena in 2008. They shared that downtown arena with the Atlanta Hawks. During the 2013 championship run, a busy schedule forced them to play elsewhere. The Dream hosted Finals games at The Arena at Gwinnett Center in nearby Duluth, Georgia.

When Philips Arena underwent major repairs, the Dream needed a temporary home court. They played home games at McCamish Pavilion in 2017 and 2018. That building is located on the college campus of the Georgia Institute of Technology. The team moved back to downtown Atlanta for the 2019 season. The building had been completely updated and renamed State Farm Arena.

The club found a new permanent home before the 2021 season began. They moved to the modern Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia. The arena provides an exciting and close-up game experience for local families. The Dream share this facility with the College Park Skyhawks of the NBA G League. Starting in 2024, the Dream returned to State Farm Arena for special high-attendance games. They hosted multiple big regular-season games downtown in 2025 and 2026.

Season Records and Highlights

The Atlanta Dream have played many exciting seasons since joining the league. The club plays a full schedule of games every summer. The best teams advance to the postseason tournament to compete for the championship. Below is a complete record of how the team has performed over time.

Notable Players in Dream History

Many famous athletes have played for the franchise since 2008. These players set individual records, won awards, and thrilled local fans.

• Angel McCoughtry played forward and led the team in scoring for many seasons. She helped lead Atlanta to three different WNBA Finals appearances.
• Betty Lennox was a veteran guard and former Finals champion who scored points during the 2008 opening season.
• Érika de Souza was a skilled center from Brazil who grabbed rebounds and defended near the basket for eight years.
• Sancho Lyttle was an outstanding forward known for rebounding and stealing the basketball on defense.
• Izi Castro Marques was a sharp-shooting guard from Brazil who made three-point shots look easy.
• Tiffany Hayes was an energetic guard who attacked the basket and scored many points for the franchise.
• Renee Montgomery played point guard before later becoming one of the owners of the team.
• Rhyne Howard joined as the top draft pick in 2022 and became a premier scorer and leader.
• Shoni Schimmel was an exciting rookie guard who became the MVP of the WNBA All-Star Game.
• Ivory Latta ran the team offense as an energetic starting point guard during the early years.
• Chamique Holdsclaw brought great experience and scoring ability to the team during the 2009 playoff run.
• Michelle Snow was an athletic center known for blocking shots and rebounding around the rim.
• Lindsey Harding served as an All-Star point guard who led the team back to the championship round.
• DeLisha Milton-Jones played forward and brought great championship experience to Atlanta.
• Elizabeth Williams anchored the Dream defense for years with shot blocking.
• Tina Charles brought MVP experience and rebounding power to the frontcourt.
• Brittney Griner brought tall defense, inside scoring, and All-Star talent to the Dream lineup.

Leaders, Coaches, and Staff

A basketball team depends on skilled coaches and front-office leaders. These leaders make trades, teach plays, and organize practice sessions.

Team Owners

• Ron Terwilliger (2008–2009)
• Kathy Betty (2010)
• Mary Brock and Kelly Loeffler (2011–2021)
• Larry Gottesdiener, Suzanne Abair, and Renee Montgomery (2021–present)

Head Coaches

• Marynell Meadors led the team from 2008 to 2012, winning 73 regular-season games and two conference titles.
• Fred Williams coached from 2012 to 2013 and guided Atlanta back to the Finals.
• Michael Cooper coached from 2013 to 2017, winning 63 games and reaching the playoffs twice.
• Nicki Collen served from 2017 to 2021 and won 38 games, including a first-place conference finish.
• Mike Petersen served as interim head coach in 2021.
• Darius Taylor guided the squad as interim head coach in late 2021.
• Tanisha Wright led the Dream from 2021 through 2024, winning 48 games.
• Karl Smesko took over coaching duties in late 2024 and guided the team to 30 wins in 2025.

General Managers

• Marynell Meadors (2008–2012)
• Fred Williams (2012–2013)
• Angela Taylor (2014–2016)
• Chris Sienko (2017–2021)
• Dan Padover (2021–present)

How the Dream Play Basketball

Basketball is a fast game played on a court with hardwood floors. Two teams of five players try to score by shooting an orange ball through an elevated hoop. Points are worth two points from inside the arc and three points from behind the long-distance line. Players can also earn single points by making free throws after a foul occurs.

The Atlanta Dream use teamwork, fast running, and tough defense to win games. Guards like Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray handle the basketball on the perimeter. They dribble past defenders, shoot long jump shots, and pass to open teammates. Forward players like Sancho Lyttle and Brionna Jones fight for rebounds when shots miss the rim. Centers like Brittney Griner use their height to block shots near the hoop and score easy baskets.

Coaches design specific plays during timeouts to help the offense score baskets. Players practice passing drills, free throw shooting, and defensive footwork during team training sessions. Good communication on the court helps the team prevent their opponents from scoring. Dream fans attend games wearing red and blue colors, cheering loudly for every basket.

Images for kids

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  Atlanta Dream playing a home game inside Philips Arena in 2008

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  State Farm Arena, formerly known as Philips Arena, where the Dream played

See also

In Spanish: Atlanta Dream para niños