May 7, 2025
Locked On Women’s Basketball: Unlocking the Dream
By The Next
Host Howard Megdal talks with Atlanta assistant Brandi Poole about joining the Dream and preparing for the 2025 season
On the latest episode of Locked On Women’s Basketball, host Howard Megdal catches up with Atlanta Dream assistant coach Brandi Poole. The two discussed Poole’s roots in the ABL and her decision to join Karl Smesko’s staff, as well as the upcoming 2025 campaign.
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Poole, who now has more than two decades of experience as an assistant coach in the collegiate and professional ranks, got her start right out of college interning with the ABL’s Colorado Explosion. A skilled player at North Carolina, Poole’s other stops have included the WNBA’s Portland Fire and Connecticut Sun as well as Texas Tech, Indiana, Bowling Green and West Virginia.
“I’m grateful for all my opportunities, and I learned a lot,” Poole said. “I’ve worked for some really good coaches in my career, so I’ve gotten the chance to learn and take the good and the bad, right and continue to grow, and our games just continue to grow, even, you know, back in the day when, when the league just started, and I had the opportunity to be in it young like to where it is now, you know, it’s incredible. And if you’re not supporting women’s basketball, now you’re just, you’re late to the bus.”
Talking specifically about the Dream, Poole said Smesko has brought great energy to the team. A few high-profile free agents like Brittney Griner, Brionna Jones and Shatori Walker-Kimbrough have definitely helped to build excitement too.
“We’re okay flying under the radar right now. Let people underestimate us a little bit, because I think there’s really good things happening right now,” Poole said. “These women are rapt with attention every day in practice, like they’re learning, they’re growing. And I love the way he just explains things to them. And he’s just a, he’s a great human. On top of that, his demeanor, the way he interacts with the women and coaches them, I’m really enjoying, I’m learning a great deal from him.”
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Here at The Next, in addition to the 24/7/365 written content our staff provides, we also host the daily Locked On Women’s Basketball podcast. Join us Monday through Saturday each week as we discuss all things WNBA, collegiate basketball, basketball history and much more. Listen wherever you find podcasts or watch on YouTube.
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