Rhyne Howard Earns Player of the Week Honors
Atlanta Dream guard Rhyne Howard has been recognized as the Eastern Conference Player of the Week, thanks to her pivotal role in leading the team to two victories over the Dallas Wings and the Phoenix Mercury. This accolade marks her fourth career selection, placing her just behind Angel McCoughtry, who achieved this honor 17 times.
The timing of this award coincides with an outstanding week for Howard, showcasing her skills on both offense and defense.
In the matchup against Dallas, she scored 25 points, dished out eight assists, grabbed four rebounds, and recorded two steals, all while shooting an impressive 58.3 percent from the field. Additionally, she was flawless from the line, going 9-for-9 on free throws. Against the Phoenix team, she contributed significantly with 21 points, eight rebounds, and sank six three-pointers.
What’s particularly noteworthy? Well, aside from her offensive contributions, Howard also typically takes on the responsibility of guarding the best player on the opposing team. For instance, she was instrumental in limiting Paige Bueckers to a mere seven points, which was a season low for her, shooting 3-for-13.
Following that performance, head coach Carl Smesko had high praise for her abilities.
“Rye is amazing,” Smesko remarked. “She’s been excelling all around. I’ve noticed her progress since training camp. This season, she’s taken a different, more focused approach.”
A teammate, Angel Reese, went even further, calling Howard an MVP candidate.
“She makes everything easier for us,” Reese said. “She can score from anywhere, plays hard on defense, and elevates everyone’s game. She holds herself to a high standard during every play and every possession. We’re lucky to have her; she’s truly an All-Star and an MVP. People don’t give her enough recognition, but we appreciate everything she does.”
This season, the 26-year-old Howard is averaging 18.8 points, 4.3 assists, 5.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game. Her shooting percentages are quite impressive too, with 41.2 percent from the field and 38.7 percent from three-point range, both being career highs. Currently, the Dream hold the best record in the WNBA at 4 wins and 1 loss.
In the Western Conference, Kelsey Plumb of the Los Angeles Sparks has also received Player of the Week honors. Plumb averaged 27 points and eight assists while showcasing impressive shooting abilities—58.1 percent from the field, 58.8 percent from beyond the arc, and a perfect 100 percent from the free throw line. The Sparks kicked off the week with a 2-0 record, defeating both the Phoenix Mercury and the Sparks.
