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Dream ink free agent Shekinna Stricklen to two-year deal

By Bailey Johnson

LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 26: Shekinna Stricklen of the Connecticut Sun competes in the final round of the 3-Point Contest of the WNBA All-Star Friday Night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 26, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stricklen beat Kayla McBride of the Las Vegas Aces in the final round 23-22 to win. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JULY 26: Shekinna Stricklen of the Connecticut Sun competes in the final round of the 3-Point Contest of the WNBA All-Star Friday Night at the Mandalay Bay Events Center on July 26, 2019 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Stricklen beat Kayla McBride of the Las Vegas Aces in the final round 23-22 to win. 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. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images) /
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Free-agent guard Stricklen signs with Dream after five seasons in Connecticut.

The Atlanta Dream have signed free agent Shekinna Stricklen to a two-year contract, the team announced Sunday.

The deal is fully protected and carries a salary of $170,000 in year one and $175,000 in year two.

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Stricklen is known for her shooting, which will provide an immediate boost to an Atlanta Dream offense that finished last in the league in nearly every category in 2019. The winner of the 2019 3-Point competition at the All-Star game, Stricklen averaged 9 points in 23.7 minutes per game and shot 38.2 percent from beyond the arc. She finished the season third in the league in both 3-pointers made (76) and attempted (199).

“When we ended last season we knew we had to prioritize shooting during this free agency period,” Dream coach Nicki Collen said in a statement. “What we are getting in Shekinna Stricklen is an incredible shooter with size that can make shots on the move or standstill, and also has a great understanding of how to get herself open shots.”

It’s been well-documented that the Dream needed to add offense in free agency to give themselves a shot at being competitive in 2020 after a disappointing 2019 campaign. Stricklen should provide a large boost to the Dream’s offense right away and give them the kind of go-to shooter that was missing from last year’s roster.

Collen, who coached in Connecticut before taking the reins of the Dream, also worked with Stricklen for two years, which adds a level of familiarity that may breed success for Stricklen in Atlanta.

“I was lucky enough to coach Shekinna in Connecticut for two years, and I know she is the full package when it comes to the intangibles: a great teammate, a dedicated worker and joyful competitor,” Collen said. “I’m very excited to welcome Strick to the ATL!”

With the Dream’s other free agency acquisitions thus far, it’s clear that Collen and GM Chris Sienko are taking a somewhat aggressive approach to rebuilding the Dream for success in this coming season. The Dream needed to add more shooting and offense in free agency, and with Stricklen, they’ve done that.

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