Atlanta Dream stars Rhyne Howard and Angel Reese are set to make franchise history after earning spots on the 12-player Team USA roster for the 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Berlin, Germany.
The selection marks the first time two Atlanta Dream players will simultaneously represent the United States at a five-on-five FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup or Olympic Games. Howard and Reese also become only the second and third players in franchise history to represent the Dream on Team USA at one of those major international events.
Howard returns to the senior national team after helping the United States qualify for the World Cup in March. During the qualifying tournament, the Atlanta guard averaged 10 points per game as Team USA finished with a perfect 5-0 record.
Reese will make her first FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup roster after also contributing to Team USA’s qualification campaign. She averaged 6.8 points and a team-leading 8 rebounds during the March tournament, adding another strong frontcourt option to the American roster.
The achievement highlights the growing influence of the Atlanta Dream, which has become home to two of the WNBA’s most recognizable young stars. Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft, has established herself as one of Atlanta’s key players, while Reese joined the Dream in 2026 and quickly became an important part of the team.
The 2026 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup will take place from September 4 through September 13 in Berlin. Team USA enters the tournament as the defending champion and will be seeking its fifth consecutive World Cup gold medal and 12th overall.
Howard brings significant international experience to the roster, including three gold medals across U18, U19 and AmeriCup competition and a bronze medal from the 2024 Olympic 3×3 tournament. Reese has also represented the United States at multiple levels and made her senior national-team debut earlier this year.
For the Atlanta Dream, their historic pairing on the international stage is another milestone for a franchise looking to establish itself among the WNBA’s elite. For Howard and Reese, it is an opportunity to compete for a world championship while representing their country on one of basketball’s biggest stages.
