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Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard to become assistant coach with Florida Gators’ women’s basketball program

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Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard to become assistant coach with Florida Gators’ women’s basketball program


As long as the WNBA has existed, its players have traveled thousands of miles to play in Europe, Asia and Australia in order to earn extra money and stay in shape during the league’s long offseason. In recent years, however, some have begun foregoing that route in favor of staying stateside to work with NCAA programs. 

Atlanta Dream star Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Draft and that season’s Rookie of the Year, is one of the highest profile players to make that decision. She announced on Monday that she will be joining the University of Florida’s women’s basketball program as an assistant coach and director of player personnel. 

“It has always been important to me that we surround our student-athletes with people who can help equip them with the skills necessary to succeed as professionals on and off the court,” Florida head coach Kelly Rae Finley stated in a press release. “Rhyne is humble, competitive, thoughtful, and driven. She is living many of our student-athlete’s dreams. Her knowledge of the game combined with her ability to teach and connect with them on and off the court will elevate our program.”

Howard, 23, spent her collegiate career at the University of Kentucky and led the Wildcats to their first SEC conference tournament championship in 40 years, but has ties to Florida through her mother, who played for the Gators from 1987-91, and holds multiple program records. 

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“When you really think about it everything is full circle, my mom was a Gator herself and I have been on this campus multiple times, but to actually be able to wear the orange and blue, I know it’s making her proud, I know it’s making everyone who thought I was originally going to be a Florida Gator proud,” Howard stated. “I always knew at some point that I would have the connection back with this school and just to be here and to be loved and to feel how much of a family it is already just confirmed all that.” 

In her second season in the league, Howard averaged 17.5 points, 4.9 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game, all career-highs, and helped the Dream get back to the playoffs for the first time since 2018. Though the Dream were swept in the first round, Howard made history with the highest-scoring playoff debut ever when she dropped 36 points in Game 1 against the Dallas Wings. 

Howard spent last offseason playing in Italy for Famila Schio, whom she helped win the Lega Basket Femminile championship. While Howard has played fewer than three seasons and as such is not yet subject to the league’s new prioritization rule, it’s worth considering her decision in that context, as it would have affected her after this offseason. 

Starting in 2024, all players must be back in team markets by the start of training camp or May 1, whichever is later. If they are not back by then, they will be suspended for the season. That will limit players’ flexibility with their overseas clubs moving forward, and Howard appears to be getting ahead of the issue while also getting a jumpstart on a potential post-playing career on the sidelines. 

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Atlanta, GA

12-year-old girl injured in Gaza bombing receives life-saving surgery in Atlanta

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12-year-old girl injured in Gaza bombing receives life-saving surgery in Atlanta


A 12-year-old girl from Gaza, grievously injured in a bombing, is recovering well after receiving life-changing surgery in Atlanta, thanks to a nonprofit. 

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Her recovery is going so well that she can now even dance again.

Twelve-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir compares how long her hair used to be before her surgery. She was injured in a bombing at a Gaza Strip refugee camp. She says she really loved her long hair and misses it. (FOX 5)

Gaza bombing injures young girl

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Timeline:

According to the nonprofit Heal Palestine, on Jan. 23, 2024, the refugee camp in Khan Younis where 12-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir was staying with her family was bombed. She lost her mom and her little sister in the attack,” said Dr. Abeer Abouyabis, who translated for Habiba and her aunt Hiyam Abu Khadeir. 

Dr. Abouyabis is also hosting Habiba and her aunt while they’re in the U.S. She explained how Habiba was gravely injured in the attack. “She actually had her skull blown out, and her internal organs were exposed,” Dr. Abouyabis explained. 

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A Gaza hospital was able to stitch Habiba up, but she was in a coma for three weeks. When she woke up, her aunt was able to evacuate her to Egypt. 

It wasn’t until Dec. 14, 2024, that Heal Palestine was able to get Habiba to Atlanta for treatment. 

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On Jan. 7, Habiba was able to get the surgery she needed. She’ll get x-rays in two weeks, where they will determine if she’s ready to travel again.

This image shows 12-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir right after her surgery in Atlanta. She was injured in a bombing at a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip.

This image shows 12-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir right after her surgery in Atlanta. She was injured in a bombing at a refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. (Supplied)

Atlanta helps heal little girl

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Local perspective:

Because of the extent of the injuries to her skull, Habiba couldn’t get the surgery she needed in the Middle East. “It was a cranioplasty; she had lost all the bone on the right side of her head. They had to build that from titanium and other materials so that they could close the area to protect the brain,” Dr. Abouyabis said.

Through what Hiyam describes as a miracle, she was able to meet someone from Heal Palestine in Egypt, who then arranged for Habiba to come to Atlanta. 

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On Jan. 7, Habiba got the cranioplasty. Heal Palestine said it can’t disclose the name of the hospital or doctor who treated Habiba due to concerns that some may want to target them. Hiyam says she was very grateful for the way the doctor treated Habiba. “She’s saying that they were very touched by the doctor who did the surgery. Habiba was apparently giving him a little bit of a hard time, but he made her a personal promise that he was going to do the surgery like she was his daughter. They really felt like he treated her like a daughter, not just like a patient,” Dr. Abouyabis said. 

The surgery was a success, and although Habiba is disappointed she had to shave her head for the surgery, she’s already feeling well enough to dance and sing.

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Twelve-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir shows a traditional Palestinian dance, something she was not able to do since before she was injured in a bombing in the Gaza Strip.

Twelve-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir shows a traditional Palestinian dance, something she was not able to do since before she was injured in a bombing in the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian girl hopes to rebuild home

What’s next:

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If the x-rays show that she is recovering well and cleared for travel, Habiba plans to return to Egypt with her aunt. Habiba’s father and siblings are still in a tent in a Gaza refugee camp. She says her hope is that they can one day rebuild their home and live there together, so they never have to stay in a tent again.

The Source: The nonprofit Heal Palestine provided details and facilitated interviews for this article. FOX 5’s Eric Mock spoke with 12-year-old Habiba Abu Khadeir, her aunt, and Dr. Abeer Abouyabis.

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Atlanta, GA

NBA Midseason Grades: Atlanta Receives Multiple New Grades From National Outlets

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NBA Midseason Grades: Atlanta Receives Multiple New Grades From National Outlets


An annual exercise at this point in the NBA season is to evaluate and grade a team based on how they have performed through the season, relative to expectations. The Atlanta Hawks are an interesting team to grade 44 games into the season. They are only 22-22 and currently in 8th place in the Eastern Conference, but they have outperformed (so far) the expectations that most had for them.

Despite their inconsitencies, the Hawks have shown they can beat the very best teams in the NBA. They have two wins over the Celtics, Knicks, and Cavaliers, not to mention other teams like the Bucks and the Lakers. Dyson Daniels has emerged as one of the best young defenders in the league, Jalen Johnson has played at an All-Star level for much of the year, and De’Andre Hunter is having the best season of his career. While Atlanta might not be an NBA Finals contender, they are a tough team when fully healthy and could be a threat to win a round in the playoffs.

When it comes to grades, there seems to be a consensus that the Hawks at least deserve a B, and ESPN’s Kevin Pelton gave the Hawks a B+:

Preseason projected wins: 36.5
Midseason projected wins: 41.9

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Why this grade: “The expectation was the Hawks would be on par with last season’s 36-46 team after breaking up the Dejounte Murray-Trae Young duo. Instead, Atlanta has been even better. Dyson Daniels has excelled replacing Murray, leading the league in steals (3.1 per game), while Jalen Johnson has emerged as a strong No. 2 option on offense.

How they can improve: Get better play from No. 1 pick Zaccharie Risacher or reduce his role. Risacher has started 37 of the 39 games he has played but is shooting just 28% on 3s. Risacher’s development is important, but the evidence that playing more translates into progress is mixed.”

I think a B+ is fair. The Hawks are not the most consistent team in the league, seemingly alternating between win streaks and losing streaks, but they have shown plenty of promise. They are going to be one of the most interesting teams at the trade deadline due to the possibility of them being either buyers or sellers. Atlanta has the flexibility to be either.

The big question coming out of last night’s loss is the status of Jalen Johnson. Johnson left the game vs the Raptors last night with a shoulder injury and was ruled out quickly. It is hard to overstate how important Johnson is to the team and what an injury would do for the Hawks playoff hopes.

Jimmy Butler Trade Rumors: Atlanta Hawks Labeled As A “Surprise Landing Spot” For the Miami Heat Superstar

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Atlanta’s Shooting Woes and Poor First Half Defense Cost Them In 112-102 Loss to Detroit

New Blockbuster Three-Team Trade Proposal Sends Gafford to Toronto, Hawks Get Athletic Power Forward from Mavs



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Atlanta, GA

Atlanta police seek suspect in park robbery attempt and attack

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Atlanta police seek suspect in park robbery attempt and attack


Police are investigating an attempted robbery and attack that occurred in a park on Ollie Street NW near Michigan Avenue NW in west Atlanta on Jan. 18. 

What we know:

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According to authorities, officers responded to a call around 2:38 p.m. regarding an incident at 102 Ollie Street NW. Upon arrival, they spoke with the victim, who reported that an unidentified man attempted to steal his black satchel while he was sitting in a gazebo inside the park.

The victim told police that as he resisted, the unknown man punched him multiple times in the head and face, leaving him with visible injuries. The victim said he managed to fend off the attacker by using pepper spray, forcing the suspect to flee on foot.

The attacker is described as a middle-aged male with dreadlocks.

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What you can do:

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the case to contact Crime Stoppers Atlanta. Tips can be submitted anonymously by calling 404-577-TIPS (8477), visiting www.StopCrimeAtl.org, or texting CSGA and the tip to CRIMES (738477).

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Tipsters do not need to provide their name or any identifying information and may be eligible for a reward of up to $2,000.

AtlantaCrime and Public SafetyNews



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