ATLANTA, February 4, 2010 - The Atlanta Dream announced today the team has signed Yelena Leuchanka to a one-year contract.

�Yelena gives us great depth in the post area,� said Marynell Meadors, Dream general manager and head coach. �She�s a physical player with the ability to post up or shoot the midrange jumper. I have been fortunate to watch her over the years and she just keeps getting better. She�s going to be a very good player in the WNBA.�

Leuchanka, a 6-5 center, was the leading scorer for Belarus in the 2008 Olympic Games. She currently competes in EuroLeague for the Turkish team Galatasaray Instanbul, where she averages 10.6 points, 6.9 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. Leuchanka finished 10th in the voting for the FIBA Europe Women's Player of the Year award for 2008.

The first Belarusian player to play in the WNBA, Leuchanka played two seasons in the league from 2006 � 2007 for the Charlotte Sting and Washington Mystics. She was originally acquired by the Dream in the 2008 WNBA Expansion Draft but did not play in the WNBA due to commitments to the Belarus National Team. Leuchanka played collegiately at West Virginia University.

Based on existing team policy, terms of the deal were not released.

The Dream tips off its third season this summer at Philips Arena, with the home opener slated for May 16 against the Indiana Fever at 7 pm. Season tickets and ticket packages are now available for purchase by calling 1-877-977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net. Individual game tickets will be available for purchase in the spring.