Something doesn’t add up.
The Atlanta Dream have one of the best records in the WNBA. They’re second in the Eastern Conference and firmly in the championship conversation. Yet somehow, one of the best players on that team continues to fly under the radar.
Her name is Rhyne Howard.
And what she’s doing this season is simply ridiculous.
Seriously, take a step back and look at the numbers and the impact.
She’s top-10 in scoring.
She leads the entire WNBA in steals.
She leads the league in three-pointers made.
She’s 6-foot-3 and can defend multiple positions.
She’s likely headed toward another All-Defensive Team selection.
And she’s doing all of this on one of the top four teams in the league.
So why does it feel like no one is talking about her?
The Ultimate Two-Way Superstar
Scoring gets headlines.
Defense wins games.
Rhyne Howard does both.
Most elite scorers in the WNBA aren’t also elite defenders. Most elite defenders aren’t asked to carry a major offensive load. Howard somehow does both every single night.
She’s one of the few players in the league who can give you 25 points and then turn around and guard the opposing team’s best perimeter player.
That’s rare.
Very rare.
And it’s something that should put her squarely in every MVP conversation.
She’s More Than Just a Scorer
People tend to think of Rhyne Howard as a shooter.
That’s selling her short.
She creates offense.
She rebounds.
She facilitates.
She disrupts passing lanes.
She forces turnovers.
She plays winning basketball.
In fact, one could argue that there isn’t another player in the WNBA who impacts as many areas of the game as Howard does.
And she’s doing it while playing in a system that doesn’t revolve entirely around her.
Atlanta has talent.
Allisha Gray is an All-Star.
Angel Reese has become one of the most recognizable players in basketball.
Jordin Canada controls the pace.
Brionna Jones adds another star presence.
Yet despite all that talent around her, Rhyne Howard remains the player opposing coaches game plan for first.
The All-Star Voting Makes No Sense
Perhaps the biggest example of Howard being overlooked comes with All-Star voting.
Despite everything she’s done this season, she barely cracks the top 15 in fan voting.
How?
Seriously, how?
The Dream are winning.
Howard is producing.
She’s playing elite defense.
She’s making shots.
She’s leading the league in steals.
And somehow she’s behind players with worse records and less impact.
This isn’t a knock on anyone else.
But something doesn’t add up.
Winning should matter.
Two-way excellence should matter.
Defense should matter.
And if those things matter, Rhyne Howard should be much higher on people’s ballots.
A Championship Player
Maybe this is why Rhyne Howard doesn’t get enough attention.
She doesn’t chase highlights.
She doesn’t dominate headlines.
She just wins.
She plays defense.
She makes big shots.
She guards stars.
She does all the little things championship teams need.
And perhaps that’s why Atlanta has become one of the best teams in the league.
Because every championship team needs a superstar.
The Dream have one.
Top Three? Absolutely.
Call me crazy, but I think Rhyne Howard belongs in the top tier of WNBA players.
Not top ten.
Not top five.
Top three.
When you combine:
- Elite scoring
- Elite defense
- Three-point shooting
- Size at 6-foot-3
- Versatility
- Winning impact
there just aren’t many players who can match that resume.
The scary part?
She’s still getting better.
And maybe that’s the biggest reason Atlanta Dream fans should be excited.
Because while the rest of the basketball world continues to overlook Rhyne Howard, she’s quietly putting together one of the best seasons in the WNBA.
At some point, people are going to have to start paying attention.
Because Rhyne Howard isn’t just good.
She’s one of the best players on the planet.
And the Atlanta Dream are reaping the benefits.
