ATLANTA – The Atlanta Dream have signed center Alaina Coates, President and General Manager Chris Sienko announced Thursday. The former University of South Carolina standout will join the team this Sunday when the team returns to Atlanta.

The 6-4 Coates played in 14 games with Minnesota this season, averaging 2.4 rebounds and 2.5 points per game. Her top performance in 2019 came against Atlanta on July 2 when she set a career-high with 10 points and added nine rebounds.

“We are thrilled to add a player with the size and athleticism of Alaina,” head coach Nicki Collen said. “We have struggled at times with defensive rebounding and scoring efficiently around the rim this season, and we believe she can help us in those two areas now and in the future.”

Coates was drafted second overall by the Chicago Sky in the 2017 WNBA Draft after she left South Carolina as their career leader in field goal percentage. As a rookie, she played in 32 games, averaging 11.4 minutes, 3.4 points and 3.2 rebounds per contest.

Atlanta returns to State Farm Arena Tuesday, July 23 to host the Sparks for the second time this season. Group, mini-packs and single game tickets are available now. For more information, visit atlantadream.net or call 877.977.7729.

The Atlanta Dream, who are celebrating their 12th season in the WNBA in 2019, will play their home games in State Farm Arena in downtown Atlanta. The Dream have qualified for the playoffs nine times, winning conference titles in 2013, 2011 and 2010.