Former Kentucky women’s basketball player headed to 2024 Olympics

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — A former University of Kentucky women’s basketball standout is going to Paris. 

Rhyne Howard will be the first player in program history to represent Team USA at the Olympic Games. She started in 114 games over four seasons from 2018-22, averaging 20.1 points per game, 6.9 rebounds per game, 2.9 assists per game, 2.2 steals per game and 0.9 blocks per game. Howard also scored 284 3-pointers while donning the blue and white, which remains a school record.

Now in her third season with the WNBA’s Atlanta Dream, Howard is a two-time WNBA All-Star and was unanimously named the 2022 WNBA Rookie of the Year. She’s averaged 16.4 points per game through seven games this season, and her 2.6 steals per game are second-most in the league. 

The 2024 USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team includes the likes of former Louisville player Hailey Van Lith, Cameron Brink and Cierra Burdick. The four players recently attended the 2024 USA Basketball 3×3 Women’s National Team training camp in Springfield, Massachusetts. Jennifer Rizzotti, president of the WNBA’s Connecticut Sun, will serve as head coach.

Unlike 5-on-5, 3×3 is played on a half court, has a 10-minute game clock and a 12-second shot clock. The first team to score 21 points via 1-point field goals or 2-pointers behind the arc wins. If time expires, the leading team wins.

The 3×3 events begin Tuesday, July 30.