The Dream are packing up and taking training camp to Louisville on Wednesday, where standout players Angel McCoughtry and Shoni Schimmel are alums.
It’s an easy move because the team doesn’t have a lot to work on. Coach Michael Cooper said the starting five of McCoughtry, Schimmel, Erika de Souza, Sancho Lyttle and Tiffany Hayes – familiar faces all – are set. Really, Cooper said the only thing to work on during training camp is pairing down the roster from 20 to 12 by June 4, the day before the season opener at New York. The Dream will host Connecticut in the home opener on June 7.
“It will be good to get to Louisville,” Cooper said. “It will be interesting making our cuts. Some people are right there on the edge.”
Seemingly safe is first-round draft choice Samantha Logic, a point guard from Iowa who is expected to back up Schimmel. Cooper implied that Logic and Schimmel could play together, with Schimmel sliding to shooting guard.
Other players who may be safe include 6-foot-4 rookie center Martha Alwal, whom Cooper described as surprisingly long and a good defensive player, and 6-foot-2 forward Ify Ibekwe, who can guard players on the perimeter.
Cooper said the exhibition game against Washington on Saturday in Louisville will determine the cuts.
“We’re going to select players that will help our team win championships,” Cooper said.
After going 19-15 and winning the East by the three games, the Dream were upset by Chicago in the best-of-three semifinals last year.
The bulk of that team will return. In addition to the starting five, the Dream returns center Aneika Henry and guard Matee Ajavon. Possibly not returning is guard Celine Dumerc. She is competing for France in a tournament in Europe and Cooper said may not rejoin the squad.
“I like our depth off the bench,” Cooper said. “We can play 9-10 players and still be productive.”
Cooper and the players are looking forward to the trip to Louisville. Cooper said it will be a great opportunity to gain more fans and will set a new stage for teams around the league.
“Our job is to attract as many fans as we can and that college fan base is extremely important,” he said.
Schimmel and McCoughtry are two of the greatest players in Louisville’s history.
McCoughtry was the first women’s player to have her jersey retired after also being the first to be named All-American three times. Schimmel became the first player in school history to score more than 2,000 points and have more than 500 assists during her All-American career.
“Just to go back home, a home away from home, it’s going to be a great turnout,” Schimmel said.
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