ATLANTA, June 8, 2009— Atlanta Dream staff, players, City Council President Lisa Borders and Atlanta youth gathered together in the Joseph B. Whitehead Memorial Branch of the Butler Street YMCA on June 2 for the unveiling of the center’s brand new basketball court.

The court, now adorned in Dream Blue and Red, was awarded to the Butler Street YMCA following a nationwide competition called the “Discover® Card Home Court Challenge,” which took place in August 2008. Hundreds of youth basketball players from select WNBA markets represented their hometown teams by competing in the Home Court Challenge. Participants in two age groups – 9 to 11 and 12 to 14 – competed in a variety of timed basketball drills focusing on the game’s fundamentals. The WNBA and Spalding partnered to launch the program to bring children together in a positive setting and to promote healthy competition, sportsmanship, and team spirit. In September 2008, the WNBA and Discover® Card announced that the Atlanta Dream had won the competition. The team then selected the Butler Street YMCA as the court recipient and construction quickly commenced.

Kirk Tyler, Senior Branch Manager of the Whitehead Branch of the Butler Street YMCA, opened up the ceremony by welcoming everyone, thanking the Dream for selecting them to receive the court, and stressing that the court will be an asset to the entire community and a place for youth to perfect their skills, hopefully becoming the home to future Atlanta Dream players.

Atlanta Dream President and COO Bill Bolen and Councilwoman Lisa Borders, a patron of the Butler Street YMCA as a child, commended the team’s service to the community and noted the impact that the Dream has made on the city of Atlanta thus far. Dream forward, Chamique Holdsclaw then left the youth with some inspiring words, encouraging them to take advantage of their new court and to use the YMCA as a ‘safe haven’ to keep themselves out of trouble. Following Chamique’s address, rookie, Angel McCoughtry made a ceremonial first shot on one of the hoops.

Atlanta Dream Head Coach and General Manager Marynell Meadors led a clinic for the youth with Dream players providing instruction in basketball fundamentals. An autograph session followed the clinic and each participant received a WNBA Cares bookbag and t-shirt.

Joseph B. Whitehead Memorial Branch YMCA was established in 1957 as the third addition to the Historic Butler Street Association. Today, Whitehead Branch has taken the helm in becoming a center for providing health and wellness, lifestyle information, and resources for African American families in Atlanta, and specifically in the Washington Park community. With plans to expand, the Joseph B. Whitehead Memorial Branch YMCA is becoming a family and community service branch, implementing youth enrichment programs, including music, art and creative writing. In addition to its afterschool homework assistance program, Whitehead Branch provides healthy cooking, financial literacy, and parenting classes for families and aerobic activities for both families and individuals.

The Dream tipped off its second season on Saturday, June 6, 2009 against the Indiana Fever. For more information and to purchase season tickets, fans can call 404.604.2626 or visit www.AtlantaDream.net. Single game tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling 1-877-WNBA-TIX, at AtlantaDream.net, at the Philips Arena box office and at all Ticketmaster outlets.