McCoughtry, who will turn 36 years old in September, will be entering her 11th season in the WNBA after spending 10 seasons with the Atlanta Dream and 2020 with the Las Vegas Aces. McCoughtry spent the past two seasons in Las Vegas after playing in Atlanta since the Dream drafted her first in 2009. Scored in double-figures in 33 of 34 games, including 17 games of 20 or more points, and 5 games with 30 or more points. Angel McCoughtry and Atlanta open the season June 5 against New York at Madison Square Garden. Posted 2 points-rebound double-doubles33 points and a season-high 11 rebounds vs. vs. Chicago on August 29 and a season-high 34 points and 10 rebounds at Chicago vs. on June 24, Handed out a season-high 6 assists on 4 occasions, Picked up a season-high 6 steals on August 14 vs. Minnesota, Only player to be named to the All-WNBA First Team and WNBA All-Defensive First Team, Second fastest WNBA player to score 4,000 points (206 games), Named to the WNBA All-Defensive First Team, Twice named Eastern Conference Player of the Week (June 23, July 14), Nominated for an ESPY for Best WNBA Player, Ranked fourth in the league in scoring, 16th in assists, and 20th in rebounds, Scored in double figures in 29 of 31 games, 20 or more points 14 times, and 30 or more points 2 times, Scored a season-high 33 points on 2 occasionsvs. She wants to be a WNBA champion, but she doesnt need a trophy to feel good about herself. It was the fourth consecutive season where McCoughtry averaged 20+ ppg in a regular season. I think that its just men have bigger platforms, McCoughtry reflected on why there is a disparity when it comes to coverage of activism between men and women in sports. McCoughtry is an executive producer and one of three stars of the WNBA's short film, "We Are the W." Boardroom caught up with her to delve into her legendary basketball career and multidimensional platform. I could care less. Most days, she was the only girl on a basketball court filled with boys. The first injury taught me that [basketball] is what you love to do, but its not your whole identity, she said. In 2019, McCoughtry would continue to be sidelined with a knee injury, causing her to miss the entire 2019 season.[16]. Im like, Well, you didnt forfeit the NBA season. Racism didnt start 10 years ago, but now we have the voice to continue to speak even while we play. McCoughtry averaged 26.7 ppg throughout the playoffs. [5], McCoughtry broke the record for career scoring by a Louisville women's basketball player during the first game of her senior year. The basketball star has often drawn on the analogy of a seed and how players can sew change when talking about the power of on-court activism: Everybody wants a championship, right? That's what you do. We have Serena Williams. Instead, recognising the force of the platform afforded to her by basketball, she petitioned the WNBA to allow players to use their jerseys to display the first and last names of those of who had been injured or killed at the hands of police brutality. I understand we all judge and its in human nature, but the more i speak to God i never feel judgement front he man upstairs, even tho he has all the power too! McCoughtry appeared to be well on her way to becoming one of the women playing on television when she signed with St. Johns out of Baltimores St. Francis High School. WNBA star Angel McCoughtry has been vocal about women receiving fair and equitable treatment in sports. I get to play with Sylvia [Fowles] for her last year and make history. Angel McCoughtry is a professional basketball player from the United States who was selected first overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2009 WNBA Draft. Subscribe to our newsletter to get the latest news when it matters most. Without McCoughry, the Dream were short-handed in the playoffs as they lost in five games to the Washington Mystics. You just keep competing, and you keep working. In her debut season, McCoughtry won Rookie of the Year honors, averaging 12.8 ppg. It has to symbolize you, it has to be a part of you, because then people will really respect it. McCoughtry has been a driving force. Twelve of this group were chosen to represent the US in the 2010 World Championships and the 2012 Olympics. McCoughtry (knee) is starting Sunday against Washington. Chicago on July 13 and at New York on June 22, Grabbed a season-high 6 steals on 2 occasions, Narrowly missed a triple-double with 20 points, 9 rebounds and a season-high 9 assists at New York on July 16, Recorded 2 point-rebound double-doubles33 points and a season-high 10 rebounds vs. Chicago on July 13 and at New York on June 22, Won her second straight league scoring title, averaging 21.5 points per game to claim the WNBA Peak Performer Award, Finished second in the WNBA in steals, sixth in assists, and 22nd in rebounding, Earned WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors, Selected as WNBA All-Star Game starter for the second time, Eastern Conference Player of the Month for June, Four-time Eastern Conference Player of the Week (June 2, June 16, June 23, and September 8), Scored in double figures in 32 of 33 games, 20 or more points 19 times, and 30 or more points 6 times, including a season-high 34 at Connecticut on June 23, Scored at least 15 points in 32 straight games to start the season before scoring 6 in just 7 minutes in the regular-season finale, Posted 1 point-rebound double-double with 23 points and a season-high 10 rebounds at Connecticut on September 11, Handed out a season-high 10 assists vs. New York on June 7, adding 15 points for a point-assist double-double, Recorded a season-high 7 steals vs. Indiana on June 25, Blocked a season-high 4 shots vs. Chicago on June 16, Scored her 3,000th career point on September 6 at New York, becoming the third youngest player in WNBA history to reach that milestone while doing it in 154 games, which is the third fewest in league history, Earned a WNBA Peak Performer Award for winning her first league scoring title, Led the WNBA in steals, while ranking 21st in assists, 23rd in rebounding and 5th in blocked shots, Became just the second player in league history to lead the league in scoring and steals in a season, joining Sheryl Swoopes (2000), Named WNBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week on July 1, Scored in double figures in 23 of 24 games, 20 or more points 18 times, and 30 or more points 3 times, Scored a season-high 33 points vs. Chicago on June 2, Recorded a 21-point, 14-rebound double-double and added a season-high 7 steals at New York on June 5, and a, Handed out a season-high 8 assists at Washington on September 14, Blocked a season-high 3 shots at Indiana on May 19, Set a WNBA record for free throws made in a game without a miss, sinking 17-of-17 June 2 vs. Chicago, Named to the Eastern Conference WNBA All-Star, Named a WNBA All-Defensive First team selection, Scored in double figures in 31 of 34 regular season games, 20 or more points on 18 occasions, and 30 or more points 6 times, including a season-high 37 at Tulsa on July 26, Recorded 2 point-rebound double-doubles26 points and a season-high 12 rebounds vs. Connecticut on August 19, and 22 points and 11 rebounds vs. Los Angeles on July 28, Handed out a season-high 7 assists vs. Los Angeles on July 28, Picked up a season-high 5 steals vs. Indiana on July 19, Blocked a season-high 3 shots on 4 occasions, Set WNBA Finals record with 38 points in Game 2 against the Minnesota Lynx on October 5, breaking the record she previously held (35 points in 2010 WNBA Finals), Earned 2010 WNBA All-Defensive First Team honors and finished second in Defensive Player of the Year voting, Participated in WNBA vs. USA Basketball: The Stars at the Sun game, Ranked third in the league in scoring and steals, Scored in double figures in all 34 regular season games, 20 or more points on 21 occasions, and 30 or more points 5 times, including a season-high 32 on 3 occasions, Recorded 4 point-rebound double-doubles, and grabbed a season-high 10 rebounds on 4 occasions, Handed out a season-high 7 assists vs Indiana on August 1, Picked up a season-high 5 steals on 2 occasions, Blocked a season-high 3 shoots at San Antonio on May 15, Set a WNBA record with 42 points in the Eastern Conference Finals, Set a WNBA Finals record with 35 points in Game 3, Earned WNBA All-Defensive Second Team honors, Led all rookies in points and steals and ranked fifth in assists, Earned Rookie of the Month honors in July and August, Scored in double-figures in 24 out of 34 games, 20 or more points on 6 occasions, and a season-high 34 points vs. San Antonio August 20, Posted 1 point-rebound double-double with 19 points and a season-high 13 boards vs. Washington on September 12, Posted 1 point-assist double-double with 26-points and a season-high 10 assists at Sacramento on September 4, Picked up a season-high 7 steals vs. New York on August 1, Scored in double figures in 6 of 8 postseason games, and 20 or more points in 3 games, including a season playoff-high 29 at Connecticut on September 27, Grabbed a playoff season-high 9 rebounds vs. Seattle on October 2, Handed out a playoff season-high 6 assists at Connecticut on September 27, Picked up a playoff season-high 3 steals on 2 occasions, Connected on 5 of 6 on three-pointers vs. Seattle on October 2, Her 32.0 points per game scoring average was the highest postseason scoring average in WNBA history (no minimum games), Scored 20 or more points in both playoff games, Scored 37 points on 14 of 21 shooting, including 3 of 4 from three-point range, and handed out 7 assists in the Dreams First Round win over Seattle on September 21, Her 37 points vs. Seattle on September 21 are tied for the 7th most points ever scored in a WNBA playoff game, Scored 27 points, making 4 of 6 shots from three-point range, grabbed 6 rebounds and handed out a playoff career-high 9 assists at Chicago on September 25, Her 26.7 points per game scoring average is the 8th highest in WNBA postseason history (no minimum games), Scored in double figures in all 3 playoff games, Scored 39 points on 13 of 20 shooting from the field and 13 of 14 from the free throw line at Chicago on August 24, Her 39 points at Chicago on August 24 are the 5th most points ever scored in a WNBA playoff game, Scored 24 points, grabbed a season playoff-high 6 rebounds, and handed out a season playoff-high 5 assists vs. Chicago on August 22, Grabbed a season playoff-high 8 rebounds vs. Chicago on August 26, Scored in double figures in all 8 playoff games, and 20 or more points on 3 occasions, including a playoff season-high 27 points at Indiana on September 29, Handed out a playoff season-high 7 assists vs. Washington on September 23, Grabbed a playoff season-high 5 rebounds on 3 occasions, Picked up a playoff season-high 3 steals in 4 straight games, Scored in double figures in all 3 playoff games, including a playoff season-high 22 points vs. Indiana on September 30, Grabbed a playoff season-high 9 rebounds at Indiana on September 28, Handed out a playoff season-high 5 assists vs. Indiana on September 30, Picked up a playoff season-high 3 steals at Indiana on October 2, Scored in double figures in all 8 playoff games, including 5 games of 20 or more points, an 2 games of 30 or more points, Tied the WNBA postseason record and the WNBA Finals record with 2 games of 30 or more points, Her 3 games in the WNBA Finals scoring 20 or more points are tied for the 2nd most in league history (Cappie Pondexter, 4, 2009), Scored a playoff season-high and WNBA Finals record 38 points at Minnesota on October 5, breaking her own record set the year prior, Her 38 points at Minnesota on October 5 are the 6th most in a playoff game in WNBA history, Her 16 made free throws in the October 5 game at Minnesota are the second most in WNBA Finals history, and tied for the 4th most in WNBA playoff history, Grabbed a career playoff-high 10 rebounds and added 16 points for her first postseason double-double at Connecticut on September 16, Handed out a playoff season-high 4 assists vs. Indiana on September 25, Picked up a playoff season-high 4 steals on 2 occasions, Her 26.7 points per game scoring average is the 7th highest in WNBA playoff history (no minimum games), Her 6 games of 20 or more points are tied for the fifth most in a single WNBA postseason, Tied the WNBA postseason record with 2 games of 30 or more points, Became just the second WNBA player to score 40 or more points in a postseason game (Tamika Whitmore, Indiana, 2006), Scored in double figures in all 7 playoff games, including 6 games of 20 or more points, and 2 games of 30 or more points, including a WNBA playoff record 42 points vs. New York on September 7. Year. McCoughtry and the Lynx agreed to the contract in late January, and the decision comes as a bit of a surprise given that she's started the past two games for Minnesota, totaling 12 points, six rebounds, two assists, two blocks and one steal in 20 minutes. Me and dad, we were getting into fights about that. I told people, 10 years from now, youre gonna see more women dunking than ever before. [22], McCoughtry earned most valuable player honors at the Ekaterinburg International Invitational Tournament, as she helped the USA Basketball team win the competition. One thing I do know is that LOVE is a great feeling! Theyll feel it. . Lets get in the studio and record. Set U.S. Olympic single-game records in 2012 for field goal percentage after going a perfect 8-of-8 against China, and for most field goals made with 10 versus Turkey. When she was 16 years old, she begged him to let her compete in the church basketball league. I wish I could find those interviews. >> angel mccoughtry has accomplished a lot, she's u of l women's basketball's all-time scoring leader, a two-time olympic gold medalist and 5-ti wnba all-star. Named,. Youre a girl, hed say. The following season, McCoughtry's stats significantly improved as she averaged 21.1 ppg, helping the Atlanta Dream to a 1915 record and the fourth seed in the Eastern Conference. After missing the opener, McCoughtry should be back for the second game of the season. She also led the team in steals with a total of 24. Her first ACL tear in 2018 forced her to reckon with how much of her identity was wrapped up in basketball. By this time, de Souza was traded to the Chicago Sky midway through the season. McCoughtry will be available for Tuesday's game at Indiana. Guard Kayla McBride has missed Minnesota's first three games due to overseas play. McCoughtry, a star veteran on the Las Vegas Aces, has been praised for suggesting that the W.N.B.A. Table of Bio/Wiki [ hide] The Dream would sweep the first and second rounds, making it back to the finals for a rematch against the Minnesota Lynx. They said I disgraced my religion! Angel McCoughtry is known for basketball. A piece of skin? I showed my dad I was better than all those guys he had on that church team.. Career? 2015-16 [Mersin Buyuksehir BelediyeTurkey (D3)], 2010-11 [MKB-Euroleasing SopronHungary (A Div)], 2009-10 [Good Angels KosiceSlovakia (Slov-2)], 2009-10 [Good Angels KosiceSlovakia (EL)], {{ player.hanaInfo.HEIGHT | ftInchesToMeters }} m, {{ player.hanaInfo.WEIGHT | lbsToKg }} kg, Angel McCoughtry out with knee injury as Olympic roster selection nears (May 11, 2021), Las Vegas Aces Angel McCoughtry to miss 2021 season with torn ACL (May 11, 2021), Aces Angel McCoughtry tore ACL, meniscus in preseason game (May 10, 2021), WNBA star Angel McCoughtry sets her sights on expanding the womens game (January 5, 2021), WNBA Players and Vistaprint Team Up For Voting Campaign (October 30, 2020), Angel McCoughtry Driven By More Than Just Basketball (October 5, 2020), Has Angel McCoughtry Returned To All Star Form (August 13, 2020), Angel McCoughtry Already Making A Big Impact For The Las Vegas Ace, Both On And Off The Court (August 5, 2020), Angel McCoughtrys Idea Put Into Action (July 25, 2020), Angel McCoughtry Says Dream Owner Is Using WNBA For Political Posturing (July 18, 2020), Former Dream Star Angel McCoughtry Speaks About Loeffler, WNBA Season (July 8, 2020), Angel Interviewed On 11 Alive, Georgia (July 8, 2020), Angel Interviewed On WLKY, Louisville (July 8, 2020), Aces McCoughtry Hopes Jerseys Can Lead To Social Change (June 30, 2020), Aces Angel McCoughtry Pleased Jersey-Name Idea Caught On (June 28, 2020), Angel McCoughtry pitches WNBA jerseys with names of police brutality victims to continue activism (June 23, 2020), Aces star Angel McCoughtry views jersey initiative as seed for change (July 3, 2020), Angel McCoughtry awaits Aces debut amid coronavirus crisis (March 25, 2020), Angel McCoughtry is leaving Atlanta. But the first face seen, the first voice heard, is McCoughtrys. McCoughtry led the Big East Conference in scoring, rebounding, and steals, while breaking school records for most steals in a season, most points in a season, and most points in a game. On Thursday, the guard/forward returned to the city, where she played for a decade in the WNBA, for the first time as a . What are our stories? Fantasy women's basketball: Is one ball enough to go around on the Liberty? Former University of Louisville basketball star Angel McCoughtry was recognized by the WNBA on Sunday.The league announced that McCoughtry was one of 25 players to make "The W25," which is "a . Im not saying its a bad thing that my dad did that. She assures them it will be worth it. Every time I meet someone, they want to come watch because they know who I am now.. It just keeps growing and growing more things are happening and more surprises. It was her idea to print Breonna Taylors name on the back of each players jersey for the 2020 season after the 26-year-old Black woman was senselessly shot and killed by police in her Louisville home that March. The next day players from three other franchises, New York Liberty, Indiana Fever and Phoenix Mercury, wore warm-up T-shirts with the hashtag BlackLivesMatter. McCoughtry was inducted into the U of L Hall of Fame in 2019 and was the first overall pick in the 2009 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream. Star free agent Angel McCoughtry leaving Aces for Lynx. My last overseas team threatened my job if i didn't write a fake letter on social media saying my relationship was a lie. Because I have a little bit more colour. Angel McCoughtry has a basketball career for the ages. "On behalf of the Lynx organization and players, I want to thank Angel for her belief in the Minnesota Lynx when she chose us in free agency," Lynx coach and general manager Cheryl Reeve said in a statement. April 9, 2009. I create things. But you don't stop doing what you love. They would garner so much momentum a would tide swell and eventually engulf countries across the world as they all grappled with questions of racial inequality and police brutality. She said, Angel on one leg is still better than a lot of players. This is the coach that I need to be with in my comeback. 1 overall pick in 2022 WNBA Draft on Monday night. Instead, both are gone a week into the WNBA season. Former Louisville women's basketball star Angel McCoughtry returned to the Derby City on Friday to unveil renovations to a basketball court now bearing her portrait in Shively Park. She has also performed in Slovakia, Turkey, Lebanon, Russia, and Hungary. In the 200910 off-season, McCoughtry played for Good Angels Koice in the EuroLeague. [27], McCoughtry was one of 21 finalists for the U.S. Women's Olympic Basketball Team Roster. The USA won its next two games by over 30 points, and then faced the host team, the Czech Republic, in the championship game. He tells me to fall, learn, and grow because thats life. She's an investor in PlayersTV as the Head of Culture, working to empower women by helping . A confirmation on her availability is likely to arrive near tipoff. Opening an Ice Cream Parlor", "WNBA Basketball Player Olympian Angel McCoughtry lands in Ghana For Year of Return Festivities:: Ghana Olympic Committee", "Visit Ghana | Year Of Return Attracts WNBA Olympic Gold Medalist Angel McCoughtry", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Angel_McCoughtry&oldid=1148304999, All-American college women's basketball players, American expatriate basketball people in Russia, American expatriate basketball people in Slovakia, American expatriate basketball people in Turkey, Basketball players at the 2007 Pan American Games, Basketball players at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Basketball players at the 2016 Summer Olympics, Louisville Cardinals women's basketball players, Mersin Bykehir Belediyesi women's basketball players, Olympic gold medalists for the United States in basketball, Pan American Games gold medalists for the United States, Pan American Games medalists in basketball, Women's National Basketball Association All-Stars, Women's National Basketball Association first-overall draft picks, Galatasaray S.K. But I'm not going to stop working hard to get it. in helping the USA to a 4-0 record, Averaged a USA second-best 10.9 points per game at the 2012 Olympics, and a tournament second-best 2.5 steals per game, while leading all competitors in the 12-team field in field goal percentage (.620, 31-50 FGs). I never expected social injustice to be a part of my career. A two-time Olympic champion, two-time world champion, former No.1 Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) draft pick, five-time WNBA All-Star, four-time WNBA finalist and a top 25 most influential player in WNBA history, there's little the 36-year-old hasn't touched. 1 pick out of Louisville in the 2009 WNBA draft, missed the 2021 season with the Las Vegas Aces because of a torn ACL in her right knee. Not getting treated right or, you know, the light-skinned or lighter skinned girl gets the deal or the commercial, "added the four-time WNBA finalist. During free agency, I actually thought I wouldve came back to Atlanta where it all started but it didnt work out the way, McCoughtry said of her decision to sign with Minnesota in February. She had posted a photo of herself with her now ex-fiance on Instagram, and wrote this message, "Yes we been discriminated against! Yet the Maryland-native maintains that the greatest thing she has done is stand-up against discrimination: "One of the best things Ive done in my career is helping raise awareness for social injustice," McCoughtry told Olympics.com ahead of United Nations' International Day of Peace. In the second round elimination game, the Dream lost to the Chicago Sky. [4] In addition, McCoughtry was named an All-American as a junior, by organizations including the WBCA, USBWA, ESPN.com. He told her no because it was for the boys, and there was a rule against girls joining. 520K Followers, 3,678 Following, 731 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Angel McCoughtry #35 (@mccoughtry) She spent the first 10 years of her WNBA career in Atlanta after being picked No. In the 201516 off-season, McCoughtry played for Mersin Bykehir Belediyesi of the Turkish League. If you ask Black athletes, we all have a story in life and we all have a story in our sports. You didn't have the woman involved yet. We Are the W is a manifestation of that advice, showing what can happen when you refuse to let the world confine you. include Breonna Taylor's name on its jerseys. I don't know why I get mistreated. Angel McCoughtry plays for Las Vegas now, but Atlanta remains her home. With McCoughtry's contributions on both offence and defense, teammate rika de Souza also being voted an all-star, Sancho Lyttle's prominent rebounding and the acquirement of rookie sensation Shoni Schimmel (who played with the team until 2015), the Dream finished first in the Eastern Conference for the first time in franchise history with a 1915 record, being the only team in the Eastern Conference that season to finish above .500. At the conclusion of the training camp, the team travelled to Ekaterinburg, Russia, where they competed in the 2009 UMMC Ekaterinburg International Invitational. All it means is switching tack to ensure that work can still be done and recognised the way it should be: We have Megan Rapinoe. To my fans, thanks for your support during this time. McCoughtry mastered the delicate balance between developing the necessary thick skin to thrive in athletics and letting the unfair circumstances tarnish her love for the game. Youre gonna see the first girl get her first $1 million dollar contract.