Angel Lajuane McCoughtry, born on September 10, 1986, in Baltimore, Maryland, is an American professional basketball player renowned for her dynamic scoring ability, tenacious defense, and significant contributions to the sport.
A two-time Olympic gold medalist, McCoughtry has left an indelible mark on the Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) and international basketball.
Raised in Baltimore by her parents, Sharon and Roi McCoughtry, Angel’s early exposure to basketball came through her father, who played forward at Coppin State University.
She began honing her skills at the Northwood recreation center before emerging as a standout at St. Frances Academy and later transferring to The Patterson School in North Carolina to meet NCAA eligibility requirements.
Siblings
Angel grew up alongside two younger sisters, Kristina and Joy.
While much of her public persona revolves around her basketball achievements, her family has been a cornerstone of her journey.
After her professional career took off with the Atlanta Dream, her family relocated to Atlanta, reflecting their close-knit bond and support for her endeavors.
Career
McCoughtry’s collegiate tenure at the University of Louisville (2005–2009) saw her become the program’s all-time leader in points (2,779), rebounds (1,261), and steals (481).
She led Louisville to its first NCAA national championship game appearance in 2009 and earned accolades such as the 2007 Big East Player of the Year and 2009 Big East Defensive Player of the Year.
Her jersey number 35 was retired by Louisville in 2010, making her the first women’s basketball player at the university to receive this honor.
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Selected as the No. 1 overall pick by the Atlanta Dream in the 2009 WNBA Draft, McCoughtry quickly established herself as a franchise cornerstone.
In her rookie season, she averaged 12.8 points per game, earning the WNBA Rookie of the Year award.
Her scoring prowess peaked in subsequent years, with career-high averages of 21.6 points per game in 2011 and back-to-back scoring titles in 2012 (21.4 ppg) and 2013 (21.5 ppg).
She led the Dream to three WNBA Finals appearances (2010, 2011, and 2013), though they fell short of the championship each time, twice to the Minnesota Lynx.
McCoughtry’s WNBA journey also included stints with the Las Vegas Aces (2020–2021) and Minnesota Lynx (2022), showcasing her adaptability and enduring impact.
Beyond the WNBA, she competed overseas in countries like Turkey, Slovakia, Hungary, Lebanon, and Russia, winning the 2017 EuroLeague title with Dynamo Kursk.
On the international stage, McCoughtry represented the United States, securing gold medals at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, as well as the 2010 and 2014 FIBA World Championships.
Accolades
McCoughtry’s trophy case reflects her dominance and versatility. At Louisville, she was a three-time WBCA All-American and set numerous school records, including career points and single-season scoring marks (901 points as a senior).
In the WNBA, she amassed an impressive résumé: five All-Star selections, two scoring titles (2012, 2013), two steals titles (2012, 2014), six All-WNBA honors (including two First Team nods), and seven All-Defensive Team selections.
Her 2009 Rookie of the Year award underscored her immediate impact, while her 38-point performance in Game 2 of the 2011 WNBA Finals set records for most points in a quarter (19) and a single Finals game (tied for the most in playoff history).
Internationally, McCoughtry’s five gold medals—two Olympic and three from FIBA competitions—cement her status as a global icon.
Off the court, she founded the Angel McCoughtry Dream Foundation in 2010 to promote youth sportsmanship and self-confidence and has been a vocal advocate for social justice, notably influencing the WNBA’s 2020 jersey initiative honoring victims of police brutality.
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