The Florida Gators women’s basketball program announced the final member of the team’s coaching staff Monday. Former two-time SEC Player of the Year and the No. 1 overall pick in the 2022 WNBA Drart, Rhyne Howard, will serve as an assistant coach and director of player personnel.
Welcome to Gainesville, Rhyne!
— Kelly Rae Finley (@kraefin) October 9, 2023
Excited to announce the newest addition to our Gator family🐊
🔗 https://t.co/jSEUSFyMI5 | #GoGators pic.twitter.com/SbWnN2Grma
Howard’s role as the director of player personnel will coincide with the off-season for the WNBA.
Howard just wrapped up her second season as a professional, where she averaged 17.5 points per game for the Atlanta Dream. As a rookie, she earned the league’s Rookie of the Year award.
Howard averaged 20.1 points over four years at Kentucky (2018-22). Among her collegiate accolades:
- National Freshman of the Year (2019)
- All-SEC First Team (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022)
- SEC All Defensive Team (2020)
- All-America First Team (2021, 2022)
- SEC Player of the Year (2020, 2021)
Howard’s mother, Rhvonja, played for the Gators from 1987-91.
Florida opens the 2023 season November 6 with a contest against North Florida. Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM.