Dream Re-sign Coco and Courtney
ATLANTA, February 15, 2012 The Atlanta Dream announced today the team has re-signed guard Coco Miller and center Courtney Paris.
Miller, who was an unrestricted free agent, elected to return to the Dream where she has helped Atlanta to three consecutive playoff berths and back-to-back Eastern Conference championships. The 5-9 guard originally signed with the Dream in 2009. She appeared in 31 games last season, recording her best season since arriving in Atlanta. Miller started five games and averaged 7.3 points, 1.9 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game.
Coco has been very instrumental in our success over the last three seasons, especially our last two conference championships, said Atlanta Dream Head Coach and General Manager Marynell Meadors. She has given a lot of her time and effort into making us better. She comes to work every day and I really like her work ethic.
A veteran playmaker, Miller is entering her 12th season in the WNBA. Prior to joining the Dream, Miller spent eight seasons with the Washington Mystics. She is averaging 5.9 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game in her WNBA career and has advanced to the postseason in six of those seasons. Miller was named the WNBAs Most Improved Player in 2002.
Miller was originally selected in the 2001 WNBA Draft by the Mystics with the No. 9 overall pick. She starred locally at the University of Georgia, leading the Lady Bulldogs to the 1999 Final Four. Miller finished her career as a four-time All-Southeastern Conference selection and two-time All-American.
Paris, a 6-4 center, appeared in 28 games for the Dream in 2011 and averaged 3.4 points and 3.1 rebounds off the bench. She previously played one season for the Sacramento Monarchs in 2009.
Courtneys best basketball is in front of her and she is an important part of our team, said Meadors. As she adjusts to our style, her rebounding and her ability to get offensive rebounds and second chance points will be vital to our success.
Paris was originally selected with the seventh overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Sacramento Monarchs. In her collegiate career, Paris was a four-time All-American selection at the University of Oklahoma. She led the Sooners to the Final Four as a senior and became the only collegiate player- male or female- to record over 2,500 points and 2,000 rebounds in her career.
The Atlanta Dream tips off its fifth season this summer at Philips Arena as part of the Womens National Basketball Association (WNBA), the worlds longest-running womens professional sports league. The Dream, the defending two-time, back-to-back Eastern Conference Champion, opens its home schedule on May 25 against the New York Liberty. Season and group tickets are on sale now and individual tickets will be available for purchase in the spring. For more information, visit www.AtlantaDream.net or call (877) 977-7729.