The New Dream Team: Unpacking The Atlanta Dream’s High-Powered 2025 Roster

Contents

The Atlanta Dream are poised for a groundbreaking season in 2025, signaling a true shift in the WNBA landscape. Following a 2024 season that saw the team finish 4th in the Eastern Conference with a 15–25 record, the front office has executed a series of high-impact moves designed to transform the franchise into a legitimate championship contender. The centerpiece of this new era is a star-studded roster featuring some of the league’s most dynamic talents, blending veteran leadership with youthful, explosive scoring power. As of December 19, 2025, the energy surrounding the Dream is palpable, fueled by key acquisitions and the continued development of their core players.

This deep dive into the 2025 Atlanta Dream roster will analyze the team’s composition, highlight the new "Big Three" that has fans buzzing, and explore the strategic vision of the coaching staff. The combination of a dominant interior presence and elite perimeter scoring suggests that the Dream are no longer just building for the future—they are competing for a deep playoff run right now. The team’s newfound depth and star power position them as one of the most intriguing teams to watch this year.

Atlanta Dream 2025 Full Roster and Player Biographies

The 2025 Atlanta Dream roster is built on a foundation of elite talent at every position, featuring a mix of seasoned WNBA veterans, All-Stars, and high-potential young players. This comprehensive list provides a snapshot of the key players expected to drive the team’s success this season, offering essential biographical details and career highlights.

  • Brittney Griner (C)
    • Position: Center (C)
    • Height: 6'9"
    • College: Baylor
    • Experience: 11 Seasons
    • 2024 Stats (Previous Team): 17.8 PPG, 6.6 RPG, 2.3 APG
    • Career Highlights: Multiple-time WNBA All-Star, former WNBA Champion, Olympic Gold Medalist. Her acquisition is the biggest move of the Dream’s offseason, instantly establishing a dominant defensive and offensive anchor in the paint.
  • Rhyne Howard (G)
    • Position: Guard (G)
    • Height: 6'2"
    • College: Kentucky
    • Experience: 3 Seasons
    • Career Highlights: Former No. 1 overall pick, WNBA All-Star, and recently named to the 2025 WNBA All-Defense Second Team. She is the team's primary scorer and a cornerstone of the franchise.
  • Allisha Gray (G)
    • Position: Guard (G)
    • Height: 6'0"
    • College: South Carolina
    • Experience: 9 Seasons
    • Career Highlights: Olympic Gold Medalist and a consistent two-way player. She has averaged 17.0 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 3.1 assists during her time with the Dream.
  • Brionna Jones (F/C)
    • Position: Forward/Center (F/C)
    • Height: 6'3"
    • College: Maryland
    • Experience: 8 Seasons
    • Career Highlights: Four-time WNBA All-Star. Jones signed a one-year contract for the 2025 season and provides elite versatility and rebounding alongside Griner.
  • Jordin Canada (G)
    • Position: Guard (G)
    • Height: 5'6"
    • College: UCLA
    • Experience: 7 Seasons
    • Career Highlights: Known as a dynamic floor general and lockdown defender. She is crucial for running the Dream's offense, averaging 11.2 PPG and 5.7 APG in her previous season.
  • Nia Coffey (F)
    • Position: Forward (F)
    • Height: 6'1"
    • College: Northwestern
    • Experience: 9 Seasons
    • Role: A versatile forward providing defense and floor spacing.
  • Naz Hillmon (F)
    • Position: Forward (F)
    • Height: 6'2"
    • College: Michigan
    • Role: A key energy player and rebounder, expected to move back to a bench role after the acquisitions of Griner and Jones.
  • Shatori Walker-Kimbrough (G)
    • Position: Guard (G)
    • Height: 5'10"
    • College: Maryland
    • Role: Provides veteran experience and reliable perimeter shooting off the bench.

The Formation of Atlanta’s New "Big Three" for 2025

The most compelling storyline for the Atlanta Dream in the 2025 season is the creation of a superstar triumvirate: Brittney Griner, Rhyne Howard, and Brionna Jones. This trio represents a perfect blend of interior dominance, perimeter scoring, and two-way versatility, instantly elevating the team's ceiling. The strategic move to acquire both Griner and Jones provides Head Coach Karl Smesko with unparalleled flexibility in the frontcourt.

Brittney Griner: The Defensive and Offensive Anchor

The addition of Brittney Griner is nothing short of transformational. Her 6'9" frame and elite shot-blocking ability instantly turn the Dream into one of the league's top defensive teams. Griner’s presence in the paint forces opponents to rethink every drive, a critical component for a team that struggled defensively in previous years. Offensively, she provides a reliable low-post scoring threat, averaging 17.8 points per game in the last season. This offensive gravity will open up the court for the Dream’s talented perimeter players, especially Rhyne Howard and Allisha Gray, creating a cascade of spacing advantages.

Rhyne Howard: The Ascending Franchise Star

Rhyne Howard, the former No. 1 overall pick, is expected to take another massive leap in 2025. With Griner and Jones drawing attention inside, Howard will have more room to operate on the perimeter. Her recent selection to the 2025 WNBA All-Defense Second Team highlights her commitment to becoming a complete two-way player. The projected duo of Howard and Griner is already being touted as one of the most formidable pairings in the WNBA, capable of competing with the league’s elite teams.

Brionna Jones: The Versatile All-Star X-Factor

Brionna Jones, a four-time All-Star, is the versatile piece that completes the puzzle. Her ability to play both power forward and center, coupled with her double-double threat, provides an elite backup or a high-level partner for Griner. Jones’s signing was a critical re-signing that ensured the Dream retained a player capable of dominating the glass and scoring efficiently. Her presence ensures that the Dream’s frontcourt remains dominant even when Griner is resting, a true mark of a deep, playoff-ready roster.

The Dream’s New Era: Coaching Staff and Strategic Outlook

The overhaul for the 2025 season extends beyond the playing roster and into the coaching staff, signaling a fresh strategic direction for the franchise. The Dream finished the 2024 season with a disappointing 15-25 record, highlighting the need for a new voice and approach.

Karl Smesko: The New Head Coach

The Dream's leadership is now in the hands of Head Coach Karl Smesko, who brings a fresh perspective and a new system to Atlanta. Smesko’s coaching philosophy is expected to emphasize the strengths of the new roster, focusing on utilizing the interior dominance of Griner and Jones while maximizing the perimeter scoring and playmaking of Howard, Gray, and Canada. The team has also completed its 2025 coaching staff with the additions of Chelsea Lyles and Camryn Brown as assistant coaches, rounding out the support system for the players.

Key Player Roles and Expectations

Beyond the "Big Three," the supporting cast has defined roles that are vital to the team's success:

  • Jordin Canada: As the primary point guard, Canada is the engine of the offense. Her ability to distribute (5.7 APG) and apply defensive pressure will be crucial to initiating fast breaks and setting up the post players.
  • Allisha Gray: Gray remains the team's reliable two-way wing. Her scoring consistency and defensive tenacity make her the perfect complement to Howard on the perimeter. She is expected to be a strong candidate for WNBA Player Awards based on her consistent performance.
  • Naz Hillmon: Hillmon will provide high-energy minutes off the bench, focusing on rebounding and interior defense, a role that will be invaluable in maintaining the team's intensity.

The consensus bold prediction for the 2025 season is that the Atlanta Dream will make a deep playoff run, potentially challenging for the WNBA Finals. The unparalleled star power, combined with a new coaching staff and a renewed focus on defensive dominance, has set the stage for Atlanta to finally realize its full potential. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see this new, high-powered Dream Team take the court.

The New Dream Team: Unpacking the Atlanta Dream’s High-Powered 2025 Roster
atlanta dream players
atlanta dream players

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