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Dream likely to suspend Bentley during EuroBasket, make temporary signing

By Bria Felicien

WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Alex Bentley #20 of the Atlanta Dream drives to the basket against the Washington Mystics on July 11, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images)
WASHINGTON, DC - JULY 11: Alex Bentley #20 of the Atlanta Dream drives to the basket against the Washington Mystics on July 11, 2018 at Capital One Arena in Washington, DC. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2018 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA – The Atlanta Dream is considering suspending guard Alex Bentley while she competes with Belarus in EuroBasket 2019.

Following the announcement that Mystics made a temporary suspension of Emma Meesseman and Kim Mestdagh and signed Shey Peddy, High Post Hoops reached out to the Dream to see what, if any, options they planned on pursuing.

Bentley would miss two to three weeks, and the team is already without Angel McCoughtry, who may or may not play this season. McCoughtry still holds a roster spot, so without a temporary signing, Dream would play with 10 players.

“We have plans to potentially do that,” head coach Nicki Collen told High Post Hoops ahead of Atlanta’s home game vs. Connecticut.

Bentley is expected to play with the Dream on Saturday, June 15 at the Dallas Wings then report to team training with Belarus.

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The temporary signee would play, or at least be available to play, when the Dream Dream travel to Connecticut on June 21. A player can’t be added until Bentley misses one game, which will be the June 19 contest vs. Indiana.

“If we decide to do it, it’ll probably be best available,” Collen said. “Post that either stretches the floor, gives us depth in the post and is different than what we have, or potentially depth at the guard. You’re obviously losing a scoring guard.”

Bentley says she is expected to return anytime between July 2 and 7. When Bentley returns, the player that is temporarily signed will be waived.

The Dream are looking to add a scorer, and it’s unclear whether that involves a post or a guard, but it likely won’t be a point guard. Collen says they feel like they’ve prepared Maite Cazorla for that role.

“It’s complicated,” Collen said. “You either bring somebody back you feel that already knows your system. Or you take it as an opportunity to get a look at somebody new. And maybe they’re not the right fit, but maybe you’ve been looking at them for a while and it gives you an opportunity to get a look at them for a couple of weeks.”

The Mystics temporarily signed a player who participated in the team’s 2019 training camp. Guard Blake Dietrick signed to Seattle last week, so the only other available player from Dream’s 2019 training camp are MeMe Jackson and veteran big Lynetta Kizer.

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