The Basics
Position: Guard/Forward
Current Team: Minnesota Lynx | #35
Draft: 2009 | Louisville | 1st round (1st overall)
Key Accolades: Rookie of the Year (2009), All Star (2011, 2013-2015, 2018), All-WNBA (2010, 2011, 2013-2016), All-Defensive (2010, 2011, 2013-2016)
WNBA Profile | Stats | Instagram | Twitter | TikTok
The Down Low
For most of her career, Angel's name was synonymous with the Atlanta Dream and Atlanta basketball. She took the Dream to the playoffs seven times, including two Finals. Angel led the way with her athleticism, defense, and scoring ability. (She holds the record for most points in the playoffs at 42.) When she was injured in 2018 and was not able to return in 2019, there was some concern about her ability to come back to past form. Luckily, that concern was misplaced. While she was on a new team in 2020 and playing fewer minutes, her 14 points per game helped propel the Las Vegas Aces into the playoffs and back to the WNBA Finals.
Beyond just her play, Angel knows how to make a statement on the court. It was Angel who advocated adding Breonna Taylor's name to the WNBA jerseys for the 2020 season:
We know that your jersey is so important, because it's basically your personal brand, your jersey is who you are. People buy your jersey. They don't buy your shorts, they don't buy your headbands. I thought if we could put the names on there, that was a great way to advocate while we play.
Later that season, she made another on-court statement, honoring WNBA legend Tina Thompson by sporting her iconic lipstick look during a game.
If all that wasn't enough, I am completely overwhelmed learning about all the other things Angel has done and done very well:
- CEO of McCoughtry Entertainment and recently executive produced a short film "Mom's Work" which was nominated for an LA Film Award.
- Opened McCoughtry's Ice Cream, which has perfect decorations.
- Founded the Angel McCoughtry Dream Foundation to empower youth.
- Released the single "Never Let Go" on Spotify, which is a sweet love song. Don't you want the lyric "Loving you is cake and the icing" on your wedding playlist?
Basically, if you have the chance, bet on Angel.
Notable Quotables
[W]hen women speak out — listen to them. Share their ideas. Don’t stomp on them. Because I’m sure most husbands out here got most of their success from a strong woman that’s in the background. Women are doing their thing. And we’re past that stage of hiding the women’s voices. It’s 2020. We’re speaking out now and we just want our voices heard.
[Source]
Highlight Reel
Highlight Photo
Modelling her vision come to fruition.
Know Your Meme
Angel iconically jumped on the media table to hype up the crowd after a big playoff win, only to quickly remember she was in the wubble, no fans were there, and she was just yelling at WNBA Commissioner Cathy Englebert.
More on Angel
- The Business Of Being A WNBA Player: Angel McCoughtry (Paulana Lamonier, Forbes)
- How Angel McCoughtry’s vision for ‘Say Her Name’ WNBA jerseys became reality (Tashan Reed, The Athletic)
- A fantastic 2020 season raises expectations for the Las Vegas Aces (Cat Ariail, SB Nation)
- Angel McCoughtry: from hardwood to headphones (Arielle Chambers, High Post Hoops)