The Atlanta Dream continued to show exactly who they are under General Manager Dan Padover and Head Coach Karl Smesko on draft night, executing a plan that balances immediate impact with long-term upside. Coming off an offseason where the front office made it clear they are building something sustainable, the Dream used their three selections to add size, defensive playmaking, and scoring versatility, all while staying aligned with their identity.
“Really excited with the way tonight went,” Padover said. “We thought Nivar was great value in the second round, as well as Ran in the third. So really happy with how the night went and looking forward to the season starting here soon.” Smesko echoed that same confidence, adding, “I couldn’t be more excited with how the draft went… when we got the opportunity, we seized it.”
With the 13th overall pick, the Dream selected Madina Okot, a 6-foot-6 center out of South Carolina, and this was clearly a targeted move. Padover made it known this was not a surprise selection. “She’s someone we’ve been targeting for a while now… just a great talent with an unlimited upside,” he said.
Okot brings elite size and production. She averaged double-digit points and rebounds, was one of the best rebounders in the NCAA, and added a new dimension to her game this season by shooting over 40 percent from three. That development fits perfectly into the Smesko system, where bigs are encouraged to stretch the floor. From my own observations at practice last season, players like Brittney Griner and Brionna Jones were actively working on their three-point shooting together. That is not accidental. That is philosophy.
Smesko emphasized that growth. “You can see that she’s improving every year… now she’s starting to stretch the floor. We’re definitely excited about the possibilities of what she can become.”
But what makes this pick even more dangerous is the environment she is stepping into. With Angel Reese, Naz Hillmon, and Brionna Jones already on the roster, rebounding will not just be a skill, it will be a battleground. “Every rebound in practice is going to be really competitive,” Smesko said. “And I think that just makes you better.”
My take is simple. The Dream just added a 6’6” rebounder with range, raw upside, and a system that fits her perfectly. She will likely begin on the second unit, especially with the loss of Nia Coffey creating an opening, but do not be surprised if her role grows quickly. This is a high-ceiling pick with real impact potential.
Second Round: Indya Nivar (SG, North Carolina, 5’10”)
In the second round, Atlanta grabbed one of the most disruptive defensive guards in the draft in Indya Nivar out of North Carolina. At 5-foot-10, Nivar brings toughness, aggression, and a proven ability to create chaos defensively.
“She makes a ton of plays,” Smesko said. “She’s aggressive, attacks downhill, fearless, not afraid of contact… defensively she’s high energy, gets a ton of steals, and can help you win possession battles.”
Those numbers back it up. Nivar recorded 94 steals in her senior season and finished her career with 225. That is not just production, that is an elite defensive instinct. It is also a direct fit next to players like Jordin Canada, who thrives in that same disruptive defensive role.
My takeaway here is that Nivar brings a defensive presence that can immediately translate, especially in second-unit minutes where energy and turnovers can swing games. She is also a willing rebounder at the guard position, another trait that fits perfectly with what Atlanta is building.
Third Round: Kejia Ran (SG, China, 6’2”)
With their third selection, the Dream added international scoring talent in Kejia Ran, a 6-foot-2 guard from China who brings creativity and offensive versatility.
Ran has already shown she can perform on the big stage. Against Team USA in FIBA play, she posted 13 points and 8 rebounds. She followed that with 28 points against Nigeria and 25 against Czechia. That is not just scoring, that is scoring against elite competition.
Padover called her “great value in the third,” and that is exactly what this looks like. Ran is a scorer who can create her own shot, stretch the floor from three, and contribute on the glass. At her size, she offers positional flexibility and offensive upside that could make her one of the more intriguing late-round additions in the league.
The Bigger Picture
This draft class tells you everything about how Dan Padover and Karl Smesko see this team. They are not just building for today. They are building for sustained success.
The Dream added size and upside in Okot, defensive playmaking in Nivar, and a high upside scorer in Ran. Each player fits a specific need, but more importantly, each player fits the system.
My overall take is this. The Atlanta Dream targeted traits. Rebounding. Defensive disruption. Shooting development. Upside. And they found all of it in three picks.
If this class develops the way the Dream believe it will, this will not just be a good draft night. It will be another step toward building a team that is here to stay.
