ATLANTA – The Atlanta Dream’s roster has been trimmed down to 12 players, the team announced Tuesday. Atlanta’s 2020 roster includes four returners from the 2019 season and eight newcomers.
“While this was never the way I envisioned getting to 12, I am excited by the talent, experience and versatility that this roster gives us,” head coach Nicki Collen said. “We have the ability to play fast and spread the floor offensively with threats to score the basketball at all five positions, regardless of lineup.”
Dream veterans Tiffany Hayes, Elizabeth Williams, Renee Montgomery and Monique Billings return for head coach Nicki Collen’s third season. Hayes will return for her ninth season in Atlanta after leading the team in 2019 with 14.7 points per game. Williams, who returns for her fifth season with the Dream this season, is on pace to become the franchise’s all-time leader in career blocks.
The team revamped its roster this offseason, acquiring Courtney Williams, Kalani Brown, Glory Johnson, Shekinna Stricklen, Alexis Jones and Blake Dietrick in free agency. Rookies Chennedy Carter and Brittany Brewer were selected by the Dream with the fourth and 17th selections in the 2002 WNBA Draft, respectively.
“While we only have four returners, I am confident in the leadership capabilities they bring to help push as well as nurture the rookies and new players,” Collen said.
Maite Cazorla, Mikayla Pivec and Kobi Thornton have all elected to forego the 2020 WNBA season, and Elīna Babkina, who had signed a training camp contract, has been waived.
“I look forward to Maite, Kobi, and Mikayla having a real opportunity to compete for a spot on the Dream in 2021,” Collen said.
This season marks the organization’s 13th season in the WNBA. The league is conducting ongoing scenario planning around the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the upcoming season and will provide updates regarding any changes to key dates.