Who is Rhyne Howard? Meet the Atlanta Dream's No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft

The Atlanta Dream got their dream player Monday night, selecting Kentucky guard Rhyne Howard with the first overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft. The Dream had previously acquired the No. 1 pick in a blockbuster deal last week, sending their No. 3 pick, second round pick (No. 14 overall) as well as the right to swap with the Sparks' 2023 first round pick, to the Washington Mystics.

Welcome to the 🅰️ @howard_rhyne #DoItForTheDream pic.twitter.com/ZAdmp8v9vZ

— Atlanta Dream (@AtlantaDream) April 11, 2022

Howard became the Wildcats' first ever No. 1 selection and is hoping to make a mark similar to that of the Dream's last No. 1 pick, Angel McCoughtry. McCoughtry, selected No. 1 overall in the 2009 WNBA Draft, won two scoring titles during her nine-year tenure with the Dream, establishing herself as one of the best players of her generation.

Here's what to know about the Dream's newest star.

Who is Rhyne Howard?

Howard grew up in Cleveland, Tenn., just 118 miles away from Atlanta. Howard starred at Bradley Central High School, eventually earning a five-star recruit status, per ESPN. The No. 32 prospect in the nation, Howard chose Kentucky over South Carolina and Purdue, among other schools.

Howard starred in Lexington, becoming just the ninth player to earn three first-team All-American nods in her college career. The other names on the list represent some titans of the game, both past and present.

Howard's versatility as a scoring threat shone through whenever she took the court for the Wildcats. At 6-foot-2, Howard possesses the strength and size to barrel through smaller defenders and finish at the rim.

Howard also showed off a smooth handle over the course of her college career, an usual sight for a player of her height. Howard employs a series of crossovers, hesitations and behind-the-back moves to drive past defenders and create space for herself.

Howard's jumper also poses a significant threat for defenders. The three-time All-American showcased a quick and mechanically sound shooting stroke throughout her college career. Despite receiving the brunt of attention from opposition defenses, Howard's shooting was fairly consistent during her time in Lexington.

According to Her Hoops Stats, Howard ranked in at least the 97th percentile in three-pointers made and attempted in each of her four seasons at Kentucky. Simply put, Howard is a three-level scoring threat whose tools appear to be easily translatable in the more spacious environment of the pro game.

What are experts saying about Rhyne Howard's WNBA prospects?

"Howard is a big, athletic wing out of Kentucky who can impact the game on both sides of the ball. She is an elite scorer who can shoot from the outside and get to the basket, and will be able to defend multiple positions. Best player in the draft and a great get for the Dream as they start their rebuild." - Jack Maloney, CBS Sports

“She's a game changer. She's an elite talent. When you look at all the different things she can do on the basketball court, she can score it from 3, she has a pull-up game, she can get to the rim. There really just isn't anything else from a scoring standpoint that you could ask for. She doesn't need a lot of space to get her shot off or a lot of time. That's important for a fast-paced league like the WNBA.” - LaChina Robinson, ESPN (via Louisville Courier Journal's Jon Hale)

"Atlanta moved into the No. 1 spot in order to ensure it got the No. 1 prospect: Howard. It’s the first really bold move of this new front office and coaching staff, but it’s a smart one. In this draft class, there’s only one franchise player: [Howard]. ... Howard’s versatility as a wing and guard was certainly attractive to the Dream, and assuming they can make sure her motor gets up to WNBA speed, this will prove to be a prudent move for Atlanta as it builds with young pieces in Howard and Aari McDonald." - Chantel Jennings, The Athletic