When it comes to Angel McCoughtry, the phrase “call it quits” doesn’t seem to exist in her vocabulary. After a prolonged injury hiatus, the five-time WNBA All-Star and two-time Olympian has one thing on her mind: a comeback. And not the kind of comeback where she waves from the bench in a sparkly blazer. Nope, Angel wants back in the paint, proving she’s got more in her tank than some fresh-out-of-college rookies.
For the skeptics rolling their eyes, McCoughtry’s participation in the upcoming Athletes Unlimited (AU) season is her way of screaming, “Not done yet!” without even raising her voice. Think of AU as her personal red carpet back to the WNBA stage — minus the paparazzi, but with plenty of buzzer-beaters.
A Career Made for the Highlight Reel
Let’s rewind a bit. Drafted as the No. 1 pick in 2009 by the Atlanta Dream, McCoughtry wasted no time turning heads. She was like a one-woman wrecking ball in the Big East Conference, smashing school records and rewriting what dominance looked like at Louisville. By her junior year, she was already on All-American lists, a walking bucket who was equally dangerous on defense.
Her arrival in the WNBA was no different. She bagged Rookie of the Year honors and led the Dream to three WNBA Finals appearances. Oh, and she casually led the league in scoring and steals — twice. Basically, she made her opponents feel like extras in the blockbuster called “The Angel McCoughtry Show.”
The Injury Saga: A Double Dose of Bad Luck
Just when McCoughtry was building her Hall of Fame resume, the injury bug struck — hard. First, a left knee injury cut her 2018 season short. Then, a right knee injury before the 2021 season put her on the sidelines again. Her stints with the Las Vegas Aces and Minnesota Lynx were brief, like cameo appearances in a long-running drama.
But here’s the kicker: McCoughtry doesn’t dwell on what’s gone wrong. Instead, she focuses on what’s next. And what’s next, according to her, is proving that she’s more than just a veteran presence in the locker room.
“Basketball Still Exists in My World”
In true McCoughtry fashion, she’s refusing to let age or injuries define her. In a candid December 2023 interview, she revealed her inspiration: Diana Taurasi. That’s right, the “White Mamba” herself, still balling at 40 like she’s got a cheat code for Father Time.
“I’m not going to waste anybody’s time if I don’t have it,” McCoughtry said, addressing the doubters who think she should just retire already. “But I still have something left.”
If she sounds confident, it’s because she’s done this before. McCoughtry’s determination echoes the comebacks of Derrick Rose and Klay Thompson — athletes who turned devastating injuries into inspirational second acts.
AU: The Launchpad for Her Next Chapter
Rapper DaBaby once said, “Hope is a launchpad,” and that seems to be McCoughtry’s motto heading into AU. She sees the league as a proving ground, a chance to silence the critics and remind everyone why she was one of the WNBA’s most electrifying players.
“I look forward to showing that I still have the ability,” she declared. “I just want to prove basketball still exists in my world.”
The Final Take
For McCoughtry, this isn’t just about winning games or padding her stats. It’s about reclaiming her narrative and showing that resilience isn’t just a buzzword — it’s her way of life. Whether she returns to the WNBA or not, one thing’s for sure: Angel McCoughtry will go down swinging, and probably stealing the ball while she’s at it.
So, buckle up, folks. The Angel McCoughtry redemption tour is officially underway. And knowing her, it’s going to be one heck of a ride.
