Holly Winterburn calls Atlanta Dream training camp “surreal”
Holly Winterburn says being in WNBA training camp with the Atlanta Dream feels “surreal” as she looks to build on another standout European season and help show what is possible for the next generation of British players.
The Great Britain guard, who was named on Atlanta’s 2026 training camp roster, spoke during her first media availability with the Dream after arriving from Athinaikos, where she helped the Greek club win the Greek Cup and A1 Women’s League title, as well as reach the EuroCup Women Final.
“Just being here, I guess it’s surreal for me,” Winterburn said. “It’s my first time in a training camp, and it’s a dream for me, so I’m just trying to take it all in and learn.”
Winterburn joined Atlanta after a major season in Greece. Athinaikos beat Proteas Voulas 94-56 to win the Greek Cup, with Winterburn part of a British contingent alongside Kristine Anigwe and assistant coach Krumesh Patel.
The club were later confirmed as Greek A1 champions for 2025-26 after Panathinaikos’ appeal relating to the first game of the Finals was rejected by the Greek federation’s sporting judge. In Europe, Athinaikos fell just short of the EuroCup Women title, beating Mersin 77-75 in the second leg of the Final but losing the tie by three points on aggregate.
Winterburn also reflected on the wider significance of British players breaking through at WNBA level, pointing to Temi Fagbenle’s reported $1 million deal with the Toronto Tempo as an example of the pathway becoming more visible.
“For British basketball, it’s always like, ‘We have so much potential, we have the talent, but it never really goes anywhere,’” Winterburn said. “Temi’s the pioneer right now. She just signed a huge contract, and that’s huge for her and for British basketball.
“But having people here doing it and proving that we can do it — it’s not just potential — I think that’s important for the next generation. Also for funding, to see that we have players playing over here and can compete. People want to support that and invest their money in that.”
Winterburn said the main adjustment in Atlanta has been the defensive physicality and officiating compared to Europe, joking that “in Europe you can punch someone and it’s not a foul.”
For a player who has already lifted the EuroCup Women title with London Lions, won domestic silverware in Greece, and established herself as a key figure for Great Britain, the next step is about absorbing as much as possible in a WNBA environment.
“Everyone’s been super helpful, so I’ve really enjoyed it,” she added.
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