Dream guard Renee Montgomery will sit out the WNBA season in Florida to focus on off-court initiatives, she announced Thursday on Twitter.
Montgomery wrote: “After much thought, I’ve decided to opt out of the 2020 WNBA season. There’s work to be done off the court in so many areas in our community. Social justice reform isn’t going to happen overnight but I do feel that now is the time and Moments equal Momentum. Lets keep it going!”
» MORE: Montgomery explains decision to focus on social injustices
Montgomery, an 11-year veteran who joined the Dream in 2018, will dedicate her efforts on social-justice reform through her foundation. She has previously raised money to help protesters in support of the Black Lives Matter movement.
The WNBA announced this week it would play a 22-game schedule at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Fla. beginning in late July.
“While I am saddened Renee will not be in a Dream uniform this summer, I am incredibly proud of her passion for her foundation, her outreach in the community and her chance to impact the Black Lives Matter movement with her platform as a WNBA athlete,” Dream coach Nicki Collen said in a statement.
Montgomery joins the likes of Maya Moore who announced last year that she was putting her professional career on hold to support the appeal of Jonathan Irons, who in 1997 was sentenced to 50 years for burglary and assault. Moore graduated from Collins Hill High School in Gwinnett County before a decorated career at Connecticut and the WNBA. A Missouri judge in March overturned Irons' conviction.
In two seasons with the Dream, Montgomery has averaged 9.9 points and 3.2 assists in 27.7 minutes in 68 games.
During the offseason, Montgomery served as the color analyst for the College Park Skyhawks and as an analyst on Hawks broadcasts.
About the Author
