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Kim Mulkey’s former LSU player left heartbroken after being cut while boarding bus for WNBA debut originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
In her only preseason game, Holly Winterburn scored a team-high 12 points, with two rebounds, two assists, and two steals in 22 minutes against the Washington Mystics.
For a player with no regular-season WNBA experience, it looked like a convincing roster case. She played with composure, competed on both ends of the floor and looked fully recovered from the injury that forced her to miss every single game last season.
Winterburn played at Oregon before signing with Atlanta as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2025 season. Despite missing the entire rookie year, Atlanta retained her rights and gave her a new opportunity by re-signing her for 2026.
Dream GM Dan Padover praised her addition at the time, stating, "Holly is a versatile guard with extensive professional and international experience. We're excited to see her compete at this level."
But now, she is no longer with the team. On May 7, they included her on the official opening night roster. Two days later, on May 9, the Dream waived Winterburn as she was boarding the team bus for the season opener against the Minnesota Lynx.
She confirmed her waiver in an official statement on her Instagram story, penning, "I thought my welcome to the W moment would happen on the court, not as I'm getting on the bus for my first ever game.”
The 25-year-old added, “But that's the reality of this business & I will always be grateful for the opportunity Atlanta gave me. I'm built for this. Thank you to everyone who has checked in on me & sent love. Everything happens for a reason and I'm so excited for what's next."
Atlanta claimed guard Aaliyah Nye off waivers from the Toronto Tempo. Nye had made 37 three-pointers during her rookie season and won a championship with the Las Vegas Aces in 2025.
The franchise announced the move in a statement, noting, "The Dream claimed guard Aaliyah Nye off waivers. In doing so, the Atlanta Dream also waived guard Holly Winterburn."
Now in WNBA free agency, Winterburn is one of the more intriguing available guards on the market. Her size, international experience with Great Britain and strong preseason game make her a logical target.
The W's 144-player roster limit is cold and indiscriminate. But based on how she handled it publicly, she won't be waiting long for her next call.
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- Caitlin Clark turns heads with all business outfit for Fever season opener
- Sophie Cunningham jokingly asks WNBA for refund after league admits officiating must improve
- Caitlin Clark’s former Iowa teammate Kate Martin suddenly becomes WNBA free agent
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