At the University of Kentucky, John Calipari is no longer the only one to have had in his ranks a first choice of a Draft (three in this case: John Wall, Anthony Davis and Karl-Anthony Towns): Kyra Elzy , coach of the women’s team, can now boast the same success thanks to Rhyne Howard.
After four very high-quality seasons on the Lexington campus (20.1 points, 6.9 rebounds, 2.9 assists and 2.3 steals throughout her career), the Tennessee native was chosen first in the 2022 WNBA Draft, in last April, by the Atlanta Dream, becoming the first player in Kentucky women’s program history to do so.
Propelled to the front of the stage from her debut, within a team which ended the previous season with a record of 8 wins for 24 losses, Rhyne Howard wasted no time in establishing herself as one of the best players in the league.
Thus, one month from the end of the regular season, the rookie back already has a well-filled rewards cabinet: the trophy for best player of the week in the Eastern Conference from the first week of the season, but also the title rookie of the month for the months of May and June. But the most prestigious of these individual awards was undoubtedly his selection for the All-Star Game 2022, held on July 10 in Chicago.
« It’s a great experience, a great opportunity to take part in a unique event » said last weekend who became the first Kentucky-trained player to earn an All-Star Game selection. ” It’s a reward for my work, it bears fruit. »
And the Dream rookie was not content to participate in the all-star game, during which she compiled 13 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists: she also took part in the “skills contest”, and the 3-point contest ! ” They asked me if I wanted to join, I said yes. The essence of the All-Star Game is to have fun, and I thought these events were meant to be fun. »
After three difficult seasons (23 wins for 65 losses), the Dream (10-13 this season) therefore seems to hold its nugget, the one that can once again carry the club to the playoffs. ” She plays like she has always played. She is never overwhelmed, she knows how and where to take her shots. summed up Tanisha Wright, Dream coach.
His stats this season: 23 games (30.6 minutes), 14.7 points (37.4%), 4.4 rebounds and 2.7 assists.