—Winners to be announced on February 25 at Fox Theater in Midtown Atlanta–

ATLANTA (Feb. 24, 2016) — Atlanta Dream four-time All-Star Angel McCoughtry has been chosen as a finalist for the 2016 Atlanta Sports Awards by the Atlanta Sports Council.

McCoughtry is one of three finalists for the 2016 Professional Athlete of the Year honor along with the Atlanta Falcons’ Devonta Freeman and the Atlanta Hawks’ Paul Millsap.

The Atlanta Sports Awards will be held at The Fox Theatre on Thursday, February 25, beginning with a silent auction and reception at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and the awards ceremony at 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at www.AtlantaSportsAwards.com.

McCoughtry was honored as a member of the All-WNBA First Team and All-Defensive First Team in 2016.  She was he only player in the league to earn mention on both after ranking third in the WNBA with a 20.1 points per game and second with 2.12 steals per contest.  She was named as an All-Star starter for the fourth time in her career and is currently a finalist for the 2016 U.S. National Team that will compete in the Olympics this summer in Rio de Janeiro.

“Each year, we’re honored to recognize outstanding athletes and coaches at all levels across Metro Atlanta,” said Dan Corso, executive director of the Atlanta Sports Council. “This ceremony is our way of celebrating those who inspire communities through both their athletic accomplishments and exemplary sportsmanship.”

Major League Baseball Hall of Famer and former Braves pitcher John Smoltz and former University of Georgia wide receiver Malcolm Mitchell will also be honored at the event. Smoltz and Mitchell were previously announced as the recipients of the 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Coca-Cola and Community Spirit Award presented by Georgia Power.

Scheduled to appear at this year’s awards ceremony are: Atlanta Hawks head coach Mike Budenholzer; Atlanta Hawks forward Paul Millsap; Georgia State University men’s basketball coach Ron Hunter; Atlanta Falcons running back Devonta Freeman; Major League Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher and former Atlanta Brave John Smoltz; former Atlanta Falcons quarterback D.J. Shockley; former Atlanta Falcons fullback Ovie Mughelli; and Darren Eales, president of Atlanta United FC.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA SPORTS AWARDS
Created in 2006 by the Atlanta Sports Council, the Atlanta Sports Awards has become a way to rally the Atlanta sports community to recognize athletic excellence on a yearly basis. The Atlanta Sports Awards honors those who distinguish themselves from among the five million people living in Atlanta. That includes all professional sports teams, universities, junior colleges and more than 250 public and private high schools in Atlanta. For more information, visit www.AtlantaSportsAwards.com.

ABOUT THE ATLANTA SPORTS COUNCIL
The Atlanta Sports Council (ASC), a division of the Metro Atlanta Chamber, facilitates the growth and development of sports in metro Atlanta by serving as a recruiter for major regional, national and international sports events. The organization plays an important role in improving the quality of life for residents in the region through sports, working to drive economic growth and visibility and acting as an advocate for the area teams and annual sports events. For more information, visit www.AtlantaSportsCouncil.com.

Atlanta Dream season tickets are available now by logging for more information on at Atlanta Dream Membership Central or clicking HERE to buy directly via Ticketmaster. 

The three-time Eastern Conference Champion Atlanta Dream is entering its ninth season in the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA).

The Dream plays their home games at Philips Arena.  Atlanta has qualified for the playoffs six times, winning conference titles in 2013, 2011 and 2010.