Atlanta Dream waive Leuchanka, sign Hart and Julien
By Ben Dull
The Atlanta Dream added undrafted free agents Rosemarie Julien and Alexa Hart to their training camp roster, which now stands at 17 as they prepare to open camp on April 29 at Georgia State University.
Julien is the second player in Florida Gulf Coast program history to participate in a WNBA training camp. Whitney Knight was drafted by the Los Angeles Sparks with the 15th overall pick in the second round in the 2016 WNBA Draft and played in 10 games for the Sparks and San Antonio Stars that season.
Though Julien led the Eagles in scoring this past season (13.2 points per game), FGCU head coach Karl Smesko believes on-ball defense is what could allow her to carve out a role for herself at the next level. Smesko said the following in a FGCU release:
"It is a tremendous accomplishment to get invited to a WNBA camp. Rose was invited to multiple camps, but she felt most comfortable with the Atlanta Dream and Coach Collen.It isn’t easy to make a WNBA roster, but Rose’s skill set will give her a chance. I think she is the best ball-screen defender coming out of college this year. She has great defensive versatility by being able to guard multiple positions. Rose has tremendous practice habits, and she is great for team chemistry and organizational culture. She is also a good three-point shooter who can also attack the rim. If she displays all these things in camp, I feel she has a real shot of making the team."
Hart spent four seasons at Ohio State. She averaged 12.2 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.7 blocks in 30 minutes per game as a freshman while shooting 62.7% from the field. The 6’3 forward appeared in all 35 games in the 2017-2018 season playing behind 2018 No. 14 overall pick Stephanie Mavunga.
The Dream waived Yelena Leuchanka, who had signed a training camp contract earlier this offseason. Julien and Hart will be joined in camp by 2018 No. 15 overall pick Monique Billings and No. 27 overall pick Mackenzie Engram. Atlanta also selected Baylor’s Kristy Wallace with the 16th overall pick, but that pick was more about the future. Wallace is expected to miss the 2018 season after suffering a torn ACL late in the season.
Blake Dietrick, Adaora Elonu and Maggie Lucas will also be in camp for the Dream. Renee Montgomery and Jessica Breland were the team’s two splashy signings, both agreeing to come to Atlanta as unrestricted free agents this offseason.
Atlanta also re-signed reserved player Damiris Dantas and designated core player Angel McCoughtry, then signed All-Star center Elizabeth Williams to a multi-year contract extension.
Tiffany Hayes, Layshia Clarendon, Brittney Sykes and Imani McGee-Stafford join Dantas and Williams as the six returners from last season’s 12-22 team that fought admirably to stay in the hunt for a playoff spot before losing nine straight games in July and August.
After signing two key free agents, welcoming McCoughtry back and coming away with a first round-type talent in the second round, first year head coach Nicki Collen and the Dream fan base have plenty to be excited about as we wait to see which players emerge to nab the last few roster spots.
The Dream open the 2018 regular season May 20 at the College Park Center in Arlington against the Dallas Wings.