Dream Acquires Jasmine Thomas in Trade with Washington

ATLANTA, Feb. 19, 2013 � The Atlanta Dream announced Tuesday that the team has acquired guard Jasmine Thomas from the Washington Mystics. The Dream will also receive Washington�s second-round pick (13th overall) in the 2013 WNBA draft and Washington will receive Atlanta�s first-round (seventh overall) and second-round (19th overall) draft picks.

Thomas will be entering her third season in the WNBA since being drafted with the 12th overall pick of the 2011 WNBA Draft out of Duke University. She started 23 of Washington�s 34 games last season, averaging 8.2 points, 2.8 assists and 2.4 rebounds per contest. She showed steady improvement during the season, averaging 11.8 points, 3.0 rebounds and 2.9 assists in nine September games to end the season.

�We�re excited to have Jasmine join the Atlanta Dream,� said head coach and general manager Fred Williams. �She fits the mold of what we need in our scheme both offensively and defensively, and her style of play really compliments our style of transition play. She has a quick first step, and the athletic ability to get to the basket and to compliment the strong defense we are known for.�

�I feel it's a good fit for me and I couldn't be more excited to join the Atlanta Dream,� said Thomas. �I like the up-tempo style of play in Atlanta, and I'm looking forward to getting on the court to prepare for a great season with my new teammates and coaches.�

As a rookie in 2011, the five-foot, nine-inch Thomas averaged 6.4 points, 2.1 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game for Washington, playing in all 34 contests while starting the final six. She reached double digits in scoring 10 times, and led the team in scoring twice, including a career-high 19-point game against Atlanta.

Thomas had a stellar record of achievement at Duke, as one of just four players in Blue Devil history to amass more than 1,300 points, 400 rebounds, 400 assists, 200 steals and 50 blocks in her career. She started 120 of her 137 games at Duke, including the last 96 in a row. She was twice named the ACC Tournament MVP, and was an excellent student as well, becoming the first Blue Devil to be twice named an Academic All-American.

The two-time Eastern Conference Champion Atlanta Dream will tip off its sixth season in the Women�s National Basketball Association (WNBA) on May 25 at Philips Arena. The Dream qualified for the playoffs in each of the past four seasons, including back-to-back conference titles in 2010 and 2011. Season tickets for the 2013 season are now available and can be purchased by calling (877) 977-7729 or visiting www.AtlantaDream.net. The Dream�s complete 2013 schedule can be found at www.wnba.com/dream/schedule.