AAU Girls Basketball Alumni Rhyne Howard is Heading to the WNBA
04/13/2022
The WNBA's number 1 overall pick, Rhyne Howard, played AAU girls basketball from 2009-2015
By: Troy MacNeill
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 13, 2022) – AAU Girls Basketball Alumni Rhyne Howard is set to become one of the new faces of the Women’s National Basketball Association. On Monday, April 11, Howard had her dream come true as she was drafted first overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.
Rhyne Howard can call Atlanta her new home. Atlanta traded up to get the No. 1 pick, and they are ready to make the University Kentucky standout the prominent piece in their franchise.
Howard became an AAU member when she started playing AAU Basketball in 2009. She was a part of the Tennessee Xtreme, a team that was well known in the state. Howard and her teammates captured the Tennessee AAU State Championship during her 9th grade season.
“I remember her as always being one of the best players in her AAU age group along with her Kentucky teammate Jasmine Massengale, they both showed love for the game at a young age,” said Juan Hansford, the club director for the Tennessee Xtreme. “AAU helped because it gave Rhyne and girls like her a way to compete in the game of basketball when at the time there weren’t very many places for girls to play.”
With the lessons of AAU in hand, Howard attended Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee where she would begin to receive national recognition. While at Bradley Central, Howard would lead the team to an undefeated regular season and state tournament appearance in 2016. In 2018, she was named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and Tennessee Miss Basketball. She was also named a McDonald’s All-America Game nominee for her outstanding efforts during the season. As a five-star recruit, it was time for the next step.
Rhyne Howard joined the University of Kentucky Wildcats and hit the hardwood running. As a freshman, she posted one of the greatest rookie seasons in program history. Leading the team with 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, Howard was unanimously named the National Freshman of the Year. The accolades did not stop there.
By the time her four years were completed at Kentucky, Howard had cemented her name in the history books. She took the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances. She was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and only the ninth player ever to be named a three-time Associated Press All-America first team pick. The 2022 season also saw Howard lead Kentucky to the SEC tournament championship celebration after they upset South Carolina. It was the program’s first SEC championship in 40 years. Howard has been a John Wooden All-American, National Player of the Week, SEC All-Defensive First Team, Freshman of the Year, one of Kentucky’s best scorers. Now she sets her sights for a new challenge.
Finishing her years at Kentucky with career averages of 20.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 2.3 steals per game, Howard will bring a consistent offensive game to the Atlanta Dream while providing great versatility on the defensive side of the floor.
As a kid, Howard wrote in an essay that she had a goal to one day play in the WNBA. She became a product of AAU Basketball, now Rhyne Howard is preparing to be the top rookie in the WNBA. The Amateur Athletic Union is incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished Rhyne. And we know you are far from finished. Everyone at AAU is excited to watch your continued journey with the Atlanta Dream.
Hansford added, “Rhyne has shown girls in our city and all around the state that play basketball what can be done with hard work and perseverance.”
This is the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, one of the most significant pieces of legislation against sex-based discrimination. With Title IX creating equal opportunities and participation in sports, women like Rhyne Howard were able to fulfill dreams. Now, Howard is part of the next generation that will carry the WNBA and women’s sports forward forever.
ORLANDO, Fla. (April 13, 2022) – AAU Girls Basketball Alumni Rhyne Howard is set to become one of the new faces of the Women’s National Basketball Association. On Monday, April 11, Howard had her dream come true as she was drafted first overall in the 2022 WNBA Draft by the Atlanta Dream.
Rhyne Howard can call Atlanta her new home. Atlanta traded up to get the No. 1 pick, and they are ready to make the University Kentucky standout the prominent piece in their franchise.
Howard became an AAU member when she started playing AAU Basketball in 2009. She was a part of the Tennessee Xtreme, a team that was well known in the state. Howard and her teammates captured the Tennessee AAU State Championship during her 9th grade season.
“I remember her as always being one of the best players in her AAU age group along with her Kentucky teammate Jasmine Massengale, they both showed love for the game at a young age,” said Juan Hansford, the club director for the Tennessee Xtreme. “AAU helped because it gave Rhyne and girls like her a way to compete in the game of basketball when at the time there weren’t very many places for girls to play.”
With the lessons of AAU in hand, Howard attended Bradley Central High School in Cleveland, Tennessee where she would begin to receive national recognition. While at Bradley Central, Howard would lead the team to an undefeated regular season and state tournament appearance in 2016. In 2018, she was named the Tennessee Gatorade Player of the Year and Tennessee Miss Basketball. She was also named a McDonald’s All-America Game nominee for her outstanding efforts during the season. As a five-star recruit, it was time for the next step.
Rhyne Howard joined the University of Kentucky Wildcats and hit the hardwood running. As a freshman, she posted one of the greatest rookie seasons in program history. Leading the team with 16.4 points and 6.6 rebounds per game, Howard was unanimously named the National Freshman of the Year. The accolades did not stop there.
By the time her four years were completed at Kentucky, Howard had cemented her name in the history books. She took the program to three NCAA Tournament appearances. She was a two-time SEC Player of the Year and only the ninth player ever to be named a three-time Associated Press All-America first team pick. The 2022 season also saw Howard lead Kentucky to the SEC tournament championship celebration after they upset South Carolina. It was the program’s first SEC championship in 40 years. Howard has been a John Wooden All-American, National Player of the Week, SEC All-Defensive First Team, Freshman of the Year, one of Kentucky’s best scorers. Now she sets her sights for a new challenge.
Finishing her years at Kentucky with career averages of 20.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, and 2.3 steals per game, Howard will bring a consistent offensive game to the Atlanta Dream while providing great versatility on the defensive side of the floor.
As a kid, Howard wrote in an essay that she had a goal to one day play in the WNBA. She became a product of AAU Basketball, now Rhyne Howard is preparing to be the top rookie in the WNBA. The Amateur Athletic Union is incredibly proud of everything you have accomplished Rhyne. And we know you are far from finished. Everyone at AAU is excited to watch your continued journey with the Atlanta Dream.
Hansford added, “Rhyne has shown girls in our city and all around the state that play basketball what can be done with hard work and perseverance.”
This is the 50th Anniversary of Title IX, one of the most significant pieces of legislation against sex-based discrimination. With Title IX creating equal opportunities and participation in sports, women like Rhyne Howard were able to fulfill dreams. Now, Howard is part of the next generation that will carry the WNBA and women’s sports forward forever.
