Dream Retain Star Guard Rhyne Howard in Latest Re-Signing

Atlanta locks in core group, including Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada, as they aim for a championship.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:39pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting fragmented, overlapping shapes and planes in the colors of the Atlanta Dream, representing the team's dynamic basketball action and collaborative spirit.The Atlanta Dream's talented core group, led by star guard Rhyne Howard, is united in their pursuit of the franchise's first WNBA championship.Atlanta Today

The Atlanta Dream have re-signed star guard Rhyne Howard, the team announced on Saturday. Howard's contract extension joins recent deals with Allisha Gray, Brionna Jones, Naz Hillmon and Jordin Canada as the Dream continue to retain their core group of talented players.

Why it matters

The Dream are building a championship-caliber roster by keeping their top players together. This group, led by Howard, was instrumental in the team's record-breaking 2025 season and playoff run. Retaining this core is crucial as the Dream look to take the next step and compete for a WNBA title.

The details

Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 draft, averaged 17.5 points, 4.6 assists, 4.5 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game last season. The 6-foot-2 guard is a three-time All-Star and was named to the 2025 All-Defensive team. The Dream also made a major trade, acquiring Angel Reese from the Chicago Sky, but are losing veteran center Brittney Griner, who signed with the Connecticut Sun.

  • The Dream announced Howard's contract extension on April 11, 2026.

The players

Rhyne Howard

A star guard for the Atlanta Dream, Howard was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA draft. She is a three-time All-Star and was named to the 2025 All-Defensive team.

Allisha Gray

A key member of the Dream's core group, Gray has been an integral part of the team's success in recent seasons.

Brionna Jones

Another important piece of the Dream's core, Jones has been a consistent contributor for the team.

Naz Hillmon

A rising young talent, Hillmon has emerged as a valuable player for the Dream.

Jordin Canada

The veteran point guard has been a steadying presence for the Dream and is part of the team's core group.

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What they’re saying

“This is a group that believes in Atlanta, believes in each other and is united in the pursuit of a championship. Allisha, Brionna, Jordin, Naz and Rhyne represent the standard we are building here in Atlanta; talented, unselfish and fully committed to winning. Their decision to continue building together, in this city and with each other, speaks to their belief in our vision and culture -- one built to win, with great players and even better people.”

— Dan Padover, Dream General Manager

What’s next

The Dream will look to build on their successful 2025 season and make a deep playoff run in 2026 with their core group intact.

The takeaway

The Dream's decision to re-sign Rhyne Howard and retain their core group of talented players shows their commitment to building a championship-caliber team in Atlanta. This continuity and belief in each other could be the key to the Dream finally breaking through and winning their first WNBA title.