The Atlanta Dream have signed Nigerian-American guard Ezinne Kalu to a seven-day hardship contract, as announced by the team on September 17, 2024.
The contract is a temporary emergency measure, allowing the Dream to maintain a full roster of players due to multiple injuries on the team.
Under the hardship contract rule, teams with fewer than 11 available players due to injuries or illness are allowed to bring in reinforcements for a short period.
This situation has opened the door for Kalu, a player known for her experience and versatility.
Kalu, a 5’8″ guard, brings a wealth of international experience to the Dream.
Her most recent achievement was leading Nigeria’s D’Tigress past the group stage at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In Paris, Kalu averaged 18.5 points per game, placing her among the top scorers of the tournament.
She ranked fourth overall in scoring, behind international stars such as Emma Meesseman (Belgium), A’ja Wilson (USA), and Satou Sabally (Germany).
Kalu’s standout performance came in a thrilling upset victory over Australia, where she scored 19 points, recorded five assists, grabbed five rebounds, and made three steals.
Her leadership and playmaking were instrumental in that stunning result.
The Atlanta Dream will undoubtedly benefit from Kalu’s experience at the highest level of international basketball.
The Dream is no stranger to signing talented players, but Kalu’s arrival comes at a crucial time when the team needs additional depth to carry out their remaining games.
Kalu is well-acquainted with Georgia, having played college basketball at Savannah State University, where she became a local legend.
During her time at Savannah State, she led the Tigers to their first-ever MEAC Championship in 2015.
She also became the first player in the school’s history to score over 2,000 career points, cementing her legacy at the university.
Born on June 26, 1992, in Newark, New Jersey, Kalu is the daughter of Gwendolyn Covington and Nigerian-born Joseph Kalu.
Despite being born and raised in the United States, Kalu has always maintained a strong connection to her Nigerian roots, proudly representing Nigeria at the international level.
Her journey with Nigeria’s national basketball team, D’Tigress, has been nothing short of remarkable.
Kalu has been an integral part of D’Tigress’ success, helping the team secure three consecutive Afrobasket championships in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
In 2019, she was named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament, underscoring her significance to the team and African basketball.
In addition to her Afrobasket achievements, Kalu has represented Nigeria in several other major international competitions.
She played at the 2016 FIBA Women’s Olympic Qualifying Tournament and was a key contributor during Nigeria’s historic run at the 2018 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in Spain.
At the World Cup, Kalu averaged 10.6 points, 3 rebounds, and 4.1 assists per game, showcasing her all-around ability.
In 2020, she continued her impressive international form, competing in the FIBA Olympic qualifying tournament in Serbia, where she averaged 16 points, 2.7 rebounds, and 4.3 assists per game.
Her standout performance earned her a spot on the All-Star Five team of the tournament, confirming her place among the best players in international basketball.
Kalu was also part of Nigeria’s squad at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, held in July 2021 due to the pandemic.
In Tokyo, she led D’Tigress with 16 points in a closely contested game against the USA, further cementing her reputation as a clutch performer on the biggest stage.
At the club level, Kalu has enjoyed a successful career playing in various European leagues.
She has suited up for teams in Portugal, Hungary, Germany, and France, gaining valuable experience in some of the toughest leagues in Europe.
Her most recent club stint was with Landerneau in France, where she continued to impress with her scoring and playmaking abilities.
Kalu’s versatility and leadership make her a valuable addition to the Atlanta Dream, especially in this moment of crisis for the team.
The Atlanta Dream, founded in 2006, is the only WNBA team in the Southeast region and has built a reputation as a competitive and well-respected franchise.
Over the years, the Dream has produced 11 WNBA All-Stars and made three WNBA Finals appearances.
The team’s home games are played at the Gateway Center Arena in College Park, Georgia, and are broadcast locally on Peachtree TV, with coverage extending across the state on Peachtree Sports Network.
Kalu’s signing is part of the Dream’s broader effort to remain competitive despite a string of injuries that has left the team short of available players.
Hardship contracts, such as the one extended to Kalu, allow teams to bring in temporary replacements to ensure they can meet the WNBA’s minimum player requirement of 11 healthy players per game.
As a seven-day contract, Kalu’s tenure with the team will be brief, but her impact could be significant.
If she performs well, the Dream could opt to extend her contract, allowing her to stay with the team for the remainder of the season.
The signing of Kalu has also generated excitement among fans and analysts, who are eager to see how her international experience will contribute to the team’s performance.
