Atlanta Dream All-Stars grade Coach Smesko’s second year in the W
Allisha Gray and Rhyne Howard have been in the WNBA since they had been drafted in 2017 and 2022, respectively (Gray as the fourth general choose by the Dallas Wings, and Howard as the first general choose by the Atlanta Dream). The pair have fairly a little bit of WNBA expertise between them, they’re leaders for his or her group, and, together with Angel Reese, they’re All-Stars this season.
Friday’s media availability at the Obama Presidential Center supplied a uncommon alternative: the likelihood to talk with each Gray and Howard throughout what is often a considerably much less guarded look. The pair had been each in jovial moods forward of tonight’s All-Star Game, after they’ll be coached by Cheryl Reeve. But throughout the common season, they’re coached by Karl Smesko—who’s in his second season as a head coach in the WNBA.
Players usually get requested how their youthful counterparts are doing as they modify to the W, however aren’t as often requested about their coaches. Both Gray and Howard had solely enthusiastic issues to say about Smesko.
“Oh, he’s doing great,” Gray advised High Post Hoops. “He’s come around a lot, like, he jokes with us. I feel like he’s filled us out good.”
Howard had comparable suggestions: “He’s doing a lot better,” she stated. “He’s way more comfortable than he was the first year. I think being able to have that year to just build relationships and gather familiarity… we can talk to him a little bit more.”
“And, obviously, he’s starting to realize it’s more to life than basketball, so we’re trying to keep him light-hearted,” Howard additionally stated.
Smesko has been a constructive addition to the Dream
Smesko, who got here to the WNBA after teaching at Florida Gulf University for a number of years, has been a robust addition to the Dream’s franchise. He’s additionally been a gradual lighthouse for his group. The Dream has battled by means of loads this season after the group’s playoff run ended early final year. That’s included weathering the elevated media and social media scrutiny that was inevitable after Reese stunned everybody and joined the Dream throughout free company, one thing that seems to have solely been good for the group.
Atlanta has an fascinating battle stretch forward of them when the WNBA returns to common play after the All-Star break. The group is in the operating to be Eastern Conference Champions, however might want to dig deeply to maintain acting at the essential stage. They’ll journey to Dallas on July 29 after which host the Seattle Storm on July 31.
